The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 1) found that the laboratory of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), which was providing testing services on COVID-19 for the CHP, had sent SMS message of negative test result to members of the public and their doctors with incorrect laboratory result date after completing COVID-19 test of 88 samples. No personal data nor privacy was involved in the incident, amid no test result was affected.

     The CHP has followed up on the incident immediately. SMS message will be sent to the affected persons and their doctors notifying them the discrepancy in laboratory result date. SMS message with correct laboratory result date will also be resent.

     The CHP is highly concerned about the incident and will review the workflow with the CUHK to prevent a reoccurrence of similar incidents in future.

     In support of the National Security Education Day on April 15 organised by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the five training schools of the HKSAR Government disciplinary forces will be open for public on that day. The activity aims to enhance members of the public’s understanding of the disciplinary forces’ facilities and training as well as their work in safeguarding national security. Members of the public can register online for the free admission tickets starting today (April 1).
 
     The open day event will be held at the Correctional Services Department Staff Training Institute, the Hong Kong Customs College, the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy, the Hong Kong Police College and the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development. Event details are as follows:
 
The Correctional Services Department Staff Training Institute
     The Institute will showcase the staff's professional work and its "smart training" model. Programmes will include performances by the Regional Response Team, foot drill demonstrations by the Guard of Honour, performances by the Dog Unit, experience of "e-theater" and game booths. An exhibition on national security education and a photo corner will also be set up.
 
The Hong Kong Customs College
     Exhibition panels showcasing the Customs and Excise Department's work and effectiveness in safeguarding national security will be displayed. Other programmes include professional foot drill performances, guided tours of the College, demonstrations by the Customs detector dogs, display of professional equipment, visits to the Professional Development Training Block and outdoor firing range, as well as virtual reality experience.
 
The Fire and Ambulance Services Academy
     The Academy's training facilities and the Fire and Ambulance Services Education Centre cum Museum will be open for public visit. The Academy will also arrange demonstrations of the “three basic skills on emergency preparedness”, which include ways to use fire extinguisher, demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency evacuation experience.
 
     The Government Flying Service will display its latest multi-purpose H175 helicopter, rescue equipment and underslung fire buckets used for distinguishing hill fires at the venue. Introductions of the emergency support services and related equipment will also be arranged.
 
The Hong Kong Police College
     Apart from professional foot drill performances, the Police Band performances and anti-terrorism exercises, there will also be exhibitions on national security education and cyber ​​security, display of specialised vehicle and armored vehicle, equipment display and sharing by frontline personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Railway Response Team and Marine Region, roadblock and equipment display by the Emergency Unit, virtual reality experience and interactions with Police dog, etc.
 
The Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD)
     The ISITD Training Gallery and various training facilities will be open for public visit. Various game booths will be set up. In addition, there will be professional foot drill demonstrations by the Immigration Department's Departmental Contingent and performances by the Immigration Band.
 
     The open day will have morning and afternoon sessions. Members of the public can view the activity details of each training school and register for admission tickets online on the National Security Education Day's dedicated website (www.nsed.gov.hk/) (available in Chinese only). The online registration period started from today until April 3, to be followed by a computer ballot at noon on April 4. Successful applicants will receive an SMS notification from the organiser.
 
     This event is free of charge. Members of the public are encouraged to seize the opportunity to learn more about the Government disciplinary forces and experience the forces' capabilities of preventing and withstanding security risks, so as to understand their work in safeguarding national security from various aspects.

     Police are investigating a murder, suicide and wounding case in Hung Hom today (April 1) in which a 49-year-old man and his 48-year-old wife died.

     At 8.39am, Police received a report from a boy that his father had used a knife to attack his mother and his elder brother inside a unit on Tak Fung Street.

     Police officers sped to the scene. A 48-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man were respectively found lying in the bedroom and in the kitchen. The duo were rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in unconscious state for medical treatment and were later certified dead at 9.11am and 9.16am respectively. A 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were located inside the unit. They were injured and sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in conscious state. Police officers also found a dog carcass in the living room, which was handled by relevant department.

     Initial investigation revealed that the 49-year-old man had used a knife to attack his wife, the two sons and the dog before committing suicide in the kitchen with a knife.

     Three knives in suspected connection with the case were seized inside the unit.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the causes of their deaths.

     Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Kowloon City District is underway.

     The Government today (April 1) received from German drug manufacturer BioNTech the investigation results regarding packaging defects of the vial caps of the BioNTech vaccine (batch 210102) and the follow-up proposal.  The Government took note of the investigation results and announced the arrangements for resumption of vaccination service of the BioNTech vaccine starting from April 5 under the Government vaccination programme.
      
     According to the information provided by Fosun Industrial Co., Limited (Fosun) and German drug manufacturer BioNTech, BioNTech has completed the relevant investigation and analysis regarding defects found in a small number of vial caps in a batch of vaccines supplied to the Hong Kong and Macao regions.  It is confirmed that the occurrence of the said problem is only associated with vaccine packaging under transport conditions.  The production process and quality of the vaccine are found to be intact.
      
     Results of further investigation including repeated tests and comparisons revealed that the occurrence of defects in the vial caps of the BioNTech vaccine was resulted from the crimping process during fill and finish in which the container integrity could not be effectively ensured for the said batch of vaccines (batch 210102).  If the metal cap of the said batch of vials was not optimally crimped, there might be ingress of ambient gas into the vials under the ultra-cold storage and transport environment (i.e. -70 degrees Celsius).  The subsequent thawing procedures conducted might lead to increased air pressure in the vials and thus over-pressure in some vials and leakages from the vials, etc.  Having conducted further tests, the relevant problem was also observed in other batches (including batch 210104) which were filled and finished at the same plant (including the crimping process).  In contrast, for batches not filled and finished at the same plant (including the crimping process), the problem was not observed after conducting the same tests repeatedly.
      
     After conducting detailed analysis of the testing statistics and results of random sampling, the German drug manufacturer BioNTech considered that there was no evidence that pointed to any safety risks for batches 210102 and 210104 of the BioNTech vaccine.  The drug manufacturer indicated that in view the vaccine was stored under ultra-cold conditions, the risk of microbial contamination was very low.  Also, as of now, no relevant adverse event had been discovered under the continuous monitoring mechanism.  The German drug manufacturer BioNTech also indicated that, even if the vials had the above problems, the integrity of the messenger RNA and lipid nanoparticles was not affected.  Having regard to the above results, the drug manufacturer confirmed that the safety and efficacy of the vaccine were not affected by the aforesaid issue, hence members of the public who had received the BioNTech vaccine did not need to worry.  That said, for the sake of prudence, batches 210102 and 210104 will continue to be put on hold at the request of the drug manufacturer until completion of the final investigation report.  The Government is also prepared to follow the recommendation of the drug manufacturer to suitably handle the relevant batches at a later time, including no longer administering the relevant batches of the BioNTech vaccine.
      
     On the other hand, according to information provided by Fosun, a batch of around 300 000 doses of the BioNTech vaccine which were produced in Germany and filled and finished at another plant in Germany was expected to arrive Hong Kong from Germany on April 2.  To ensure that problems similar to those mentioned above which might have led to packaging defects will not happen to the relevant batch of vials, German drug manufacturer BioNTech has conducted a series of stringent tests and assessment, including pressure tests conducted on more than 15 000 vials which had been stored in ultra-cold conditions.  It was confirmed that the aforesaid problems were not found.  German drug manufacturer BioNTech and Fosun will also enhance sampling and monitoring to ensure the integrity of the vials.  The Government will also continue to provide relevant information to all healthcare professionals responsible for handling vaccines at Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs), with a view to effectively detecting the occurrence of similar problems.  A Government spokesman pointed out that the relevant problem was discovered under the stringent checking procedures at the Government’s CVCs.  This demonstrates that the relevant procedures are working well and can effectively prevent similar problems from occurring to the vaccines.
      
     Fosun and German drug manufacturer BioNTech have indicated to the Government that they will support the Government vaccination programme and provide a stable supply of vaccines for Hong Kong, with a view to ensuring that the vaccination programme can continue to be implemented at full speed.
      
     The Government will resume BioNTech vaccination for the public on April 5.  Persons who have bookings to receive the vaccine on or after April 5 can go to the CVC they selected at the originally booked time slot, and need not make another appointment afresh.
      
     For persons who have made an appointment for taking the second dose BioNTech vaccination on or before April 4, the Government will reserve a vaccination slot for them on a day between April 5 and 10, so that they can get the second dose vaccination as early as possible.  For those who have made an appointment for taking the first dose BioNTech vaccination between March 24 and April 4, a new vaccination slot will also be reserved for them before the reopening of online booking for BioNTech vaccine.  The above two categories of persons will be notified of the appointment details via SMS messages starting from April 2.
      
      “If the persons concerned do not want to take the vaccination slot reserved, they can change the time slot via the online booking system on the designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme starting from 9am on April 3, after first cancelling the time slot assigned.  As registration for BioNTech vaccination in the early phase of service resumption is expected to be keen, persons wishing to change the reservation may end up getting a rather late time slot due to insufficient supply of vaccination places.  As such, we appeal to these people, especially those who need to take the second dose vaccination early, to accept as far as possible the vaccination slot reserved for them, to ensure that they can get the due protection offered by the vaccine,” said the spokesman.
      
     The categories of priority groups under the vaccination programme have been increased to 14, covering persons aged 30 or above, students aged 16 or above studying outside Hong Kong and domestic helpers.  A new CVC at the Ho Man Tin Sports Centre will commence operation on April 5, bringing the number of CVCs administering BioNTech vaccine to 21.  Persons belonging to the priority groups can make BioNTech vaccination bookings through the online booking system starting from 9am on April 3.
      
     As regards Sinovac vaccine, the public can make reservations for receiving the vaccination at eight CVCs and the 18 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority.  They can also make appointments for vaccination with private doctors or clinics participating in the programme.
      
     Members of the public can visit the designated website, www.covidvaccine.gov.hk, to make reservations for vaccination and to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.

     In view of the volatile development of the epidemic in which candidates for the 2021 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) may have to undergo compulsory quarantine for 14 days during the examination period, or have to stay on their premises pending the test results, thus affecting their participation in the HKDSE Examination, the Education Bureau (EDB) together with the Food and Health Bureau, the Home Affairs Department, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), the Civil Aid Service and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), have made special arrangements for the candidates in light of the relevant measures.

     The 2021 HKDSE will be held from April 23 to May 22. The EDB, the HKEAA and the CHP have earlier announced the arrangements and precautionary measures for the HKDSE. To stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the Government has adopted various control measures to counter the epidemic, including requiring close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo compulsory quarantine in quarantine centres, and designate a specified area on a need basis, to arrange compulsory testings and carry out law enforcement actions for buildings or constructions located at the specified area with one or more confirmed cases or there have been sewage samples tested positive. 

     A spokesman for the EDB said today (April 1), "To assist candidates who may be affected by the compulsory quarantine or compulsory testing arrangements to sit for the HKDSE as scheduled, the EDB co-ordinates with various government departments and the HKEAA to make special arrangements for candidates to meet their contingency needs."

     At present, under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), the Government is empowered to issue quarantine orders to put close contacts of confirmed cases under compulsory quarantine at quarantine centres.

     In addition, the Government can, according to the needs of infection control, exercise the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J), to make a "restriction-testing declaration" (declaration), under which people within the specified "restricted area" (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing"), are required to stay on their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to wait on their premises and may only leave the premises until all such persons identified in the area have undergone testing and the relevant test results are mostly ascertained.

     Special arrangements for HKDSE candidates who may be affected by compulsory quarantine or compulsory testing arrangements are as follows:

(1) Candidates who are required to stay in a quarantine centre to undergo 14-day compulsory quarantine

     Starting from April 9, if a candidate is notified that he/she is subject to compulsory quarantine, he/she may advise clearly that he/she is a 2021 HKDSE candidate and submit supporting documents (including admission forms), and indicate his/her wish to take the examination at a quarantine centre. Candidates concerned will be arranged to undergo compulsory quarantine at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre, and be arranged to sit for the HKDSE in the quarantine centre during the quarantine period. Candidates are required to inform the HKEAA of their wish to take the examination in the quarantine centre so that the HKEAA can make arrangements accordingly. If a candidate does not wish to take the examination in a quarantine centre, he/she may apply to the HKEAA for assessment of his/her results in accordance with the established mechanism, and may be assigned to another quarantine centre without examination arrangements for compulsory quarantine. As advised by the CHP, candidates will sit for the examination in individual rooms which have been cleaned. To minimise the contact with candidates, invigilators will supervise the examination outside the rooms. Training on infection control will be provided to invigilators, including donning and doffing of personal protective equipment. The HKEAA will later announce the related details of recruiting the invigilators. The EDB calls on schools to support this arrangement by actively sending invigilators to receive training on infection control to assist candidates in need. Retired teachers are also welcomed to apply to serve as invigilators.

(2) Candidates who are required to remain on their premises and undergo compulsory testing

     Starting from April 22, if a candidate is required to remain on his or her premises and undergo compulsory testing under the relevant declaration made by the Government, the EDB advises candidates to go to the temporary specimen collection stations at the "restricted area" as soon as possible and identify themselves as 2021 HKDSE candidates and submit relevant documents (including admission forms) to prove that they need to sit the HKDSE the following day. The candidates will be given priority testing with a view to enabling them to obtain test results as early as possible. In general, the Government will make a declaration in the evening, set up temporary specimen collection stations in the "restricted area" and require persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo testing as instructed by the prescribed officers. It is the candidate's responsibility to follow the testing process and go to the temporary specimen collection stations as soon as possible for the test. Otherwise, the officers will not be able to prioritise the testing of samples collected late. Candidates are required to inform the HKEAA that they have undergone compulsory testing and may request to sit for the examination at a nearby exam centre if their premises are far away from the exam centres. If a candidate needs to leave the "restricted area" for the exam centre before the declaration is revoked, he/she can make a request to the prescribed officers in the "restricted area", regardless of whether the test result has been obtained or not. The prescribed officer may allow the candidate to leave the "restricted area" after verifying that the candidate has undergone testing as required and recording the relevant information of the candidate. Candidates who receive a negative test result on their way to the exam centres will be allowed to sit the exam as scheduled. For the safety of all candidates, only those candidates who have obtained negative results in the nucleic acid test will be allowed to enter the examination hall. For other details, please pay attention to the announcement of the HKEAA.

     The EDB expresses appreciation to different departments and the HKEAA for their collaboration in the special arrangements, as well as the understanding of the school sector and the community, and reminds candidates to adopt precautionary measures and observe personal hygiene, and hope the HKDSE can be smoothly conducted.