The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme was officially launched today (February 26), with people belonging to the priority groups who have made appointments receiving the Sinovac vaccine at five Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and 18 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA).

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, inspected the operation of the CVCs at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library and Kwun Chung Sports Centre. They said they were pleased to know that the centres have been operating smoothly. 

     The public response to the programme has been enthusiastic. On the first day of online appointment booking, all booking slots for the first two weeks were taken up. The online booking system in the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk) will be open again for members of the public to make appointments starting from 9am on March 1 (Monday).  

     Apart from the five CVCs and the 18 general out-patient clinics of the HA, members of the public can also make appointments to receive the Sinovac vaccine at three newly added CVCs, namely Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre, Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Tsing and Yau Oi Sports Centre in Tuen Mun. These centres will operate for a period of 56 days starting from March 6. The Government will review the situation including the supply of the vaccine and the public demand and make updated arrangements at suitable junctures. The locations of the eight CVCs are detailed in the Annex.
 
    Starting from 9am on March 1, members of the public can book the timeslots available up to March 26 through the online booking system for receiving the Sinovac vaccine at the eight CVCs and 18 general out-patient clinics of the HA.

     If necessary, people can seek assistance for making online bookings from about 120 post offices or the 180 estate management offices of the public housing estates they reside in.

     Apart from the CVCs, people belonging to the priority groups can also receive Sinovac vaccine at clinics of private doctors participating in the programme from mid next week. Information about these clinics will be uploaded to the designated website.

     The Government has procured three vaccines from different technology platforms with a total of 22.5 million doses, which would be sufficient for vaccinating all of the people in Hong Kong. The programme has also been implementing in a safe and orderly manner. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated early so as to enable Hong Kong to successfully fight the epidemic as soon as possible.

     For information about the vaccination, please visit the designated website at www.covidvaccine.gov.hk .

                                

     Correctional officers stopped two persons in custody assaulting another two persons in custody at Lo Wu Correctional Institution today (February 26).

     At 12.46pm today, two female persons in custody, aged 47 and 51, attacked another two female persons in custody aged 27 and 38 inside a workshop. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailants and called for reinforcement.

     During the incident, one correctional officer sustained injuries to her arms when she was stopping the assault. She was sent to a public hospital for further treatment after examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer. Two victims sustained injuries to the hands and neck. After examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer, one of them was referred to a public hospital for further treatment whereas the other one did not need to be sent to a public hospital. In addition, one of the assailants sustained injury to her arms. After treatment provided by the institution Medical Officer, she did not need to be sent to a public hospital. The other assailant did not sustain any injuries. 

     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

     The four persons in custody were sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

     In view of the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will set up exquisite garden plots and a Theme Flower Display and Tulip Display at designated parks across 18 districts to present virtually the Hong Kong Flower Show 2021 (Online Flower Show). The Online Flower Show will be held from March 19 to April 19 on the Hong Kong Flower Show dedicated website (www.hkflowershow.hk). Returning with the overall theme "City of Flowers, City of Love", the event features the rhododendron, considered a great beauty of the flower kingdom, as the theme flower. The public will surely enjoy this new experience from the Online Flower Show comfortably at home.
 
     Other fun and fascinating content making up the Online Flower Show includes an interesting animation introducing the legend of the rhododendron; demonstrations by experts on flower planting, flower appreciation and flower photography tips; interactive games designed for children, and WhatsApp stickers for downloading and sharing selfie photos with family and friends. Visitors may also participate in an online voting activity through which the public can vote for their favorite "Oriental Style Garden Plot" and "Western Style Garden Plot" from the 18 districts for a chance to win fabulous prizes.
 
     To produce the Online Flower Show, garden plots across 18 districts, the Theme Flower Display and the Tulip Display will be set up at designated LCSD venues from early to mid-March. Garden plots across 18 districts and the Theme Flower Display will be kept during the full Online Flower Show period until April 19, while the Tulip Display will be open until March 31. The public are welcome to visit the display plots onsite. When visiting flower plots outdoors, visitors are required to take appropriate precautionary measures, wear their own masks and maintain social distancing at all times to safeguard public health. When there are large numbers of visitors, the temporary crowd control measures arranged by the venue staff must be followed.
 
     During the Online Flower Show period, the Hong Kong Science Museum will present a special exhibition, "Exploring Flowers with Five Senses", to let visitors explore the wonderful world of flowers with their senses. In addition, book displays on flowers and plants will be specially set up in the Hong Kong Central Library and the City Hall Public Library. For the latest information, please visit the above-mentioned dedicated website.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 26, the CHP was investigating 24 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 951 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 950 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, six are imported cases.
 
     A total of 195 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (February 12 to 25), including 161 local cases of which 66 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.

     â€‹The Fire and Ambulance Services Education Centre cum Museum (FASECM) will partially reopen its exhibition facilities next Monday (March 1) for visitors (no more than four persons in each group), while interactive exhibitions and public programmes will remain suspended until further notice. According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), visitors will be required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their names, contact numbers and the dates and times of their visits before entering the FASECM for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found.  

     Due to the limited quota for admission, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested persons can submit applications through the FASECM Online Booking System (es.hkfsd.gov.hk/museum/en). For enquiries, please call 2411 8691 during office hours.