Police today (May 1) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tseung Kwan O.

     Ling Fai, aged 35, went missing after he left his residence in King Lam Estate yesterday (April 30) afternoon. His family made a report to Police today.
         
     He is about 1.75 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black trousers and black shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0335 or 9886 0060 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
 

  

     To ensure members of the public comply with the relevant regulations on group gatherings and wearing of masks, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) stepped up patrols at its leisure and cultural venues and gazetted beaches in 18 districts in collaboration with relevant departments today (May 1) and called on venue users to abide by the rules. Repeated offenders are prosecuted after verbal warnings are ignored. 
      
     The LCSD spokesman added that during the patrols, promotional leaflets as well as venue broadcast and notices were used to urge foreign domestic helpers to comply with the legal requirements.
      
     As at 4pm today, more than 2600 verbal advice and two fixed penalty notices were given out during patrols of venues by LCSD staff. The spokesman appealed to members of the public to exercise self-discipline in order to reduce the chances of virus spreading in the community. 

     The LCSD will continue to step up patrols and take enforcement actions against offenders.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (May 1), 15 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. Including a patient (case number: 11772) discharged earlier on April 28, a total of 11 432 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 637 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 184 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 102 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 16 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which three patients are in critical condition, one is in serious condition and the remaining 98 patients are in stable condition.

     In addition, a 70-year-old female patient (case number: 11547) was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital due to a fall on April 6. She was confirmed of infection at the admission screening conducted according to prevailing practice. The patient was treated in isolation ward and her condition continued to deteriorate. She eventually succumbed at 1.48pm today. Including this patient, 203 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The case numbers of the discharged, critical and serious patients are as follows:
 

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (May 1), Labour Day, expressed her gratitude to the labour sector for their enduring contributions to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, pointing out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to strive to create and stabilise employment and improve labour welfare to enhance labour protection. She also appealed to members of the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible so that society and the economy can return to normal as soon as possible, thereby providing more job opportunities.
      
     In a video released on her social media platform, Mrs Lam said that the loyalty, hard work and stamina of Hong Kong's labour force has all along been the cornerstone of the city's success. Pointing out that over the past two years, Hong Kong's economy has been hard hit by the violent riots and the epidemic, putting the labour market under pressure with the latest unemployment rate reaching 6.8 per cent, she said that the HKSAR Government has made every effort to create and stabilise employment through a series of measures. The measures include those worth more than $300 billion rolled out under several rounds of the Anti-epidemic Fund and the Budget to safeguard jobs and relieve people's financial burden as far as possible.
      
     Mrs Lam said that the Government is also committed to improving labour welfare and has implemented various rights that the labour sector had been fighting for continually for years. The rights include the extension of statutory maternity leave from 10 weeks to 14 weeks since last December and the extension of statutory paternity leave from three days to five days since January 2019. Moreover, the Government submitted a bill last month proposing the progressive increase of the number of statutory holidays from 12 days to 17 days to place it on par with that of general holidays. The Government will also continue to press ahead with the preparatory work in relation to the abolition of the offsetting arrangement under the Mandatory Provident Fund, including formulating relevant legal provisions and enforcement details with a view to submitting a bill to the Legislative Council at the beginning of the next legislative year.
      
     On safeguarding employees' occupational safety and health, Mrs Lam said that the Government has increased the levels of compensation for work injuries and occupational diseases under employees' compensation-related ordinances starting in April this year, and that the Government also proposed legislative amendments to raise the maximum penalty for violating the laws on occupational safety and health in order to enhance the deterrent effect. The legislative amendments are expected to be completed within the current term of the Government.
      
     Noting that controlling the epidemic is still the most important task at present, she appealed to members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible to protect oneself and others, and enable society and the economy to return to normal as soon as possible.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, May 1, the CHP was investigating eight additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 783 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 782 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     All newly reported cases are imported cases.
   
     A total of 139 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (April 17 to 30), including 29 local cases (including 1 possibly local) of which 15 are from unknown sources. 

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to the compulsory testing notice. The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to compulsory testing notices published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop and undergo testing as soon as possible.

     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).

     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.

     The spokesman said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.

     "The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

     "As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps). After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."

     Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.

     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.