The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announces that a tender of 15-year Government Bond (issue number 15GB3603) under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme was held today (March 3).
 
     A total of HK$1.0 billion 15-year Government Bonds were allocated today. A total of HK$2.741 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 2.74. The average price accepted is 97.52, implying an annualised yield of 1.787 per cent.

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Government Bond tender results
——————————————————————————————————–
     Tender results of 15-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

 
*Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

     The Kowloon City District Office together with Kowloon City Police District, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) conducted an enforcement operation today (March 3) at a building in To Kwa Wan, which was included in a compulsory testing notice earlier. The operation started at around 7.40am and ended at around noon today.
      
     Starting from around 7.40am today, residents of Mei King Mansion Phase I, 21-39P Lok Shan Road/2-28 Mei King Street, To Kwa Wan, were requested to provide the SMS notification received through a mobile phone or related certification containing the results of COVID-19 tests, to show that they had taken such tests as required pursuant to the compulsory testing notice of the building within the specified period issued by the Government earlier on. The Government arranged for staff to verify the testing certifications of the residents at the entrances/exits of the building, and conducted checks in the building to verify whether residents had undergone testing in compliance with the requirement.
      
     During the operation, test records of around 1 480 residents were checked. Among them, 185 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. The Government has issued compulsory testing orders and/or fixed penalties of $5,000 to them, requiring them to undergo testing within a specified period. Non-compliance with a compulsory testing order is an offence, and offenders are liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.
      
     The Government reiterates that the aim of issuing a compulsory testing notice is to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community as soon as possible to protect overall public health and safety. Persons subject to testing under a compulsory testing notice should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.
      
     The Government wishes to thank the many residents who had complied with the compulsory testing notice for their co-operation to fight against the virus together. The Government will continue to enforce the law strictly. All persons subject to compulsory testing should comply with the compulsory testing notice. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notice may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Non-compliance with the order is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.
      
     The Kowloon City District Office is grateful for the support and co-operation of the Police, the CHP and the AMS to enable the enforcement action to be carried out smoothly. The Government understands that the enforcement process may cause some inconvenience to the residents, but hopes that the residents can understand.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     US Dollar Liquidity Facility tender result:
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, March 3, the CHP was investigating 14 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 047 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 046 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, eight are local cases with unknown sources while the remaining six cases are epidemiologically linked with local cases.
          
     The first case with unknown sources involves a 23-year-old woman (case number: 11035) who was asymptomatic. She went to a community testing centre for testing on February 28 and tested positive. She is a marketing person and she last went to work on February 26.
 
     The second case with unknown sources involves a 53-year-old woman (case number: 11036) who was asymptomatic. She went to a community testing centre for testing on February 28 and tested positive. The patient is a dishwasher and she last went to work on March 1.

     The third case with unknown sources involves a 34-year-old man (case number: 11038) who was asymptomatic. He went to a community testing centre for testing on February 28 and tested positive. The patient is a person in charge of a residential care homes for the elderly but worked from home.

     The fourth case with unknown sources involves a 34-year-old man (case number: 11039) who developed cough on February 24. His sample collected on March 1 tested positive. He is a photocopier sales person and he last went to work on February 24.

     The fifth case with unknown sources involves a 67-year-old woman (case number: 11040) who developed cough and fever on March 1. She attended Evangel Hospital on the same day and the specimen collected tested positive. She is a housewife.

     The sixth case with unknown sources involves a 47-year-old woman (case number: 11041) who developed runny nose on February 28. Her specimen collected on March 1 tested positive. She is a housewife.

     The seventh case with unknown sources involves a 69-year-old man (case number: 11044) who developed headache on February 27. His specimen collected on March 1 tested positive. He is a retired person.

     The eighth case with unknown sources involves a 53-year-old woman (case number: 11047) who developed cough and sore throat on February 22. Her specimen collected on March 1 tested positive. She is a secretary and her last working day was March 2.

     A total of 236 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (February 17 to March 2), including 197 local cases of which 69 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 public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop.

     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, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. 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;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• 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.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, March 3, the CHP was investigating 14 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 047 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 046 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, eight are local cases with unknown sources while the remaining six cases are epidemiologically linked with local cases.
          
     The first case with unknown sources involves a 23-year-old woman (case number: 11035) who was asymptomatic. She went to a community testing centre for testing on February 28 and tested positive. She is a marketing person and she last went to work on February 26.
 
     The second case with unknown sources involves a 53-year-old woman (case number: 11036) who was asymptomatic. She went to a community testing centre for testing on February 28 and tested positive. The patient is a dishwasher and she last went to work on March 1.

     The third case with unknown sources involves a 34-year-old man (case number: 11038) who was asymptomatic. He went to a community testing centre for testing on February 28 and tested positive. The patient is a person in charge of a residential care homes for the elderly but worked from home.

     The fourth case with unknown sources involves a 34-year-old man (case number: 11039) who developed cough on February 24. His sample collected on March 1 tested positive. He is a photocopier sales person and he last went to work on February 24.

     The fifth case with unknown sources involves a 67-year-old woman (case number: 11040) who developed cough and fever on March 1. She attended Evangel Hospital on the same day and the specimen collected tested positive. She is a housewife.

     The sixth case with unknown sources involves a 46-year-old woman (case number: 11041) who developed runny nose on February 28. Her specimen collected on March 1 tested positive. She is a housewife.

     The seventh case with unknown sources involves a 69-year-old man (case number: 11044) who developed headache on February 27. His specimen collected on March 1 tested positive. He is a retired person.

     The eighth case with unknown sources involves a 53-year-old woman (case number: 11047) who developed cough and sore throat on February 22. Her specimen collected on March 1 tested positive. She is a secretary and her last working day was March 2.

     A total of 236 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (February 17 to March 2), including 197 local cases of which 69 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 public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop.

     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, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. 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;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• 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.