The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, March 1, 2021 is 100.8 (down 0.2 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, February 27, 2021 was 101 (up 0.2 against last Friday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) today (March 1) announced that a patient confirmed with COVID-19 passed away last night (February 28).
 
     A 79-year-old male patient (case number: 10023) with chronic diseases was transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department of North Lantau Hospital from a quarantine centre on January 23 due to fever and required oxygen support. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of PMH and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.
 
     He was released from an isolation order by the Department of Health on February 21. His condition continued to deteriorate and he eventually succumbed at 9.49pm yesterday.
 
     The hospital is saddened by the passing away of the patient and expresses deep condolences to the patient's family. The hospital will offer necessary assistance to his family members.
 
     Including the above patient, 194 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent websites and phishing SMS messages, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the websites should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     Thirty-nine convictions were recorded in January 2021 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.
 
     Five of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, three were under the Noise Control Ordinance, 18 were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, one was under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, nine were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and three were under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
 
     Separately, two companies and one Incorporated Owners were fined $15,000, which was the heaviest fine in January, for contravening the terms or conditions of a specified process licence, causing another person to import controlled waste without a permit and discharging waste/polluting matter into the water control zone.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary today (March 1) announced that the seats reserved in the public gallery for a fresh case today, with dozens of defendants at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, have all been taken and all tickets have been distributed. 

     There were still hundreds of people queuing inside and outside the court building in the afternoon, waiting for standby seats. The situation was very crowded.

     With regards to a court order, security and public health considerations, members of the public are advised to no longer go to the court building today for this case. 

     The Judiciary had reserved as many extra seats as possible and arranged three court extensions to broadcast the court proceedings of the fresh case concerned as an excessive demand for seats was expected.