The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been implemented for the 31st day since February 26, 2021.
 
     So far, about 462 400 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered for members of the public (please see Annex 1). Among them, about 443 900 persons have received their first dose, with about 292 600 persons receiving the Sinovac vaccine and about 151 300 persons receiving the BioNTech vaccine. About 18 500 persons have received their second dose of the Sinovac vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 8pm today (March 28), the following vaccination and booking figures were recorded:
 
(i) About 6 600 persons received their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 6 200 persons vaccinated at eight Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and about 400 persons at private doctors and clinics participating in the programme;
 
(ii) about 6 510 persons received their second dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 6 500 persons vaccinated at the CVCs and about 10 persons at private doctors and clinics;
 
(iii) the overall percentage of people who have received the Sinovac vaccine at the eight CVCs is about 90 per cent; and
 
(iv) about 3 500 persons have made online bookings for receiving their first and second doses of the Sinovac vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were two cases of ambulance transfers to a hospital. Both persons were admitted for observation (please see Annex 2).
 
     As background information, in the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were 38 cases of stroke or myocardial infarction that required admission to the Intensive Care Unit, Acute Stroke Unit and Cardiac Care Unit of public hospitals. The state of new cases admitted to the wards concerned is provided as a cross reference to enhance fuller public understanding of cases of the kind recorded on vaccine recipients.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding the isolation arrangement of an imported case in North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre (HKICC), the spokesperson for the Kowloon West Cluster made the following announcement today (March 28) :
 
     A 45-year-old female patient, tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19, was admitted to HKICC on March 26. Since the patient concerned is an imported case, single isolation was arranged while she was waiting for the results of confirmation and mutation test, according to prevailing practice.
 
     After she was confirmed as a positive case, the patient concerned was transferred to a cubicle, which had accommodated some other confirmed patients, for further treatment. Some 20 minutes later, healthcare staff found that the mutation test result of the patient concerned was still pending. She was thus immediately transferred to another cubicle for single isolation. HKICC was informed that the patient concerned was tested positive to N501Y mutation on March 27 morning.
 
     The patient concerned had never left her bed nor contacted the other four patients during her 20-minute stay in the cohort cubicle. The beds were also separated from each other by curtains. Hence, the risk of infection is considered to be very low. All of the five patients are in stable condition.
 
     HKICC is very concerned about the incident and has explained and extended apologies to the patients concerned. As precautionary measures, single isolation and mutation tests have been arranged for the four patients. HKICC will continue to closely monitor the condition of patients concerned and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation and patients' follow-up arrangement. Thorough cleansing and disinfection have been arranged for the cubicles concerned according to established guidelines.
 
     HKICC has notified the Hospital Authority Head Office the above incident through the Advance Incident Reporting System. Indepth review on the admission workflow and isolation arrangement will also be conducted to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (March 28), 15 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. Including a patient (case number: 11443) discharged earlier on March 26, a total of 11 056 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged so far.
 
     At present, there are 661 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 201 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 154 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 22 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which 10 patients are in critical condition, seven are in serious condition and the remaining 137 patients are in stable condition.
 
     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.
 
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows:
 

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsing Yi this afternoon (March 28) in which a 64-year-old man died.

     At around 1pm, a motorcycle driven by the 64-year-old man was travelling along Tsing Sha Highway towards Tsim Sha Tsui. Upon reaching Hoi Lai Estate, the motorcycle reportedly lost control and rammed into railings.

     Sustaining serious injuries to his head and body, the man was rushed to Caritas Medical Centre in unconscious state and was certified dead at 1.50pm.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers at 3661 1346.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, March 28, the CHP was investigating one additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 447 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 446 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
    The newly reported case is an imported case.
 
     A total of 188 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (March 14 to 27), including 110 local cases of which 29 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.