The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed as having Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital gave the following update today (March 18):
 
     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital has commenced contact tracing and identified two more male patients (aged 66 and 94) as being CPE carriers without clinical symptoms. The patients are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition.
 
     The hospital infection control team has followed up with the departments concerned and the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
 

1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward. 

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     A woman who went missing in Ngau Tau Kok has been located.

     Lui Wai-ping, aged 33, went missing after she was last seen in her residence on Ngau Tau Kok Road on December 14, 2020 night. Her family made a report to Police on January 14, 2021.

     The woman was located on Yan Hing Street, Tai Po this afternoon (March 18). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee originally scheduled for 3pm tomorrow (March 19) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex will be held at 3.15pm (or an earlier time between 3pm and 3.15pm).

     The Government announced today (March 18) that the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, under the authority delegated by the Chief Executive, has appointed Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam and re-appointed Mr Nicky Lo Kar-chun and Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing as Non-Executive Directors of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The two-year terms of Mr Wong, Mr Lo and Mr Chan will begin on April 1, 2021, April 24, 2021, and May 26, 2021, respectively.
 
     Mr Paul Chan said, "Mr Wong has had a long record of public service and possesses vast experience in the business sector. I am confident that he will provide valuable contributions to the work of the SFC.
 
     "Mr Lo and Mr Chan have offered constructive advice on the performance of functions and good corporate governance of the SFC during their tenure. I look forward to their continued support for the work of the SFC."
 
     The SFC is chaired by Mr Tim Lui Tim-leung. Other serving Non-Executive directors are Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen, Mr Edward Cheng Wai-sun, Mr Victor Dawes, Mr Lester Garson Huang and Dr James C Lin.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (March 18), 15 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 10 824 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 648 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 184 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 283 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 19 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which 10 patients are in critical condition, 10 are in serious condition and the remaining 263 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: