The Housing Department yesterday (February 12) learnt that a female security guard employed by a contractor at Foo Wo House, Wo Che Estate, Shatin has tested positive for COVID-19. The secu… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 13, the CHP was investigating 12 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 768 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 767 confirmed cases and one probable case).
Among the newly reported cases announced, two are imported cases.
A total of 384 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (January 30 to February 12), including 336 local cases of which 105 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. read more
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (February 13) called upon the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Hong Kong International Airport to understand the latest prevention and control measures undertaken to curb the spread of COVID-19, and expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the staff on duty during Chinese New Year holiday.
“The Government as a whole has been united in fighting against the virus despite all the difficulties. We will continue to keep a close watch of the epidemic situation and strengthen prevention and control measures on all fronts. I appeal to all members of the community to continue to strictly observe the social distancing measures during the Chinese New Year holiday,” Mr Cheung said.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, and the Controller of CHP, Dr Ronald Lam, Mr Cheung was briefed by the staff of the Home Confinement Support Team, the Operation Command Office, the Emergency Hotline Centre, the Health Promotion Branch, the Quarantine Centre Taskforce and the Emergency Response Centre on their work. Over the past year, the staff of CHP has been working around-the-clock in enhancing contact tracing, strengthening testing capacity, enforcing stringent quarantine arrangements and arousing public awareness on health measures etc, with a view to implementing the Government’s infection control strategy of “preventing the importation of cases and the spreading of the virus in the community”, striving to achieve the target of “zero infection” as soon as possible.
Mr Cheung later visited the Hong Kong International Airport. Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam, and the Executive Director, Airport Operations, of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mrs Vivian Cheung, Mr Cheung inspected the terminal enhancement projects in Terminal 1 to learn about the latest progress of the boarding gate transformation and the construction of Sky Bridge.
Mr Cheung then visited the Airport Dedicated Testing Centres to understand the one-off compulsory COVID-19 testing arrangement for airport staff. It is part of the Government’s multi-pronged anti-epidemic strategy targeting the airport community for the protection of the health of the staff and users of the airport. Nearly 70 000 persons are expected to participate in the compulsory testing arrangement from February 4 to 25, 2021. Mr Cheung was briefed that as at February 11, 2021, some 50 000 persons had already been tested. He was impressed with the organised implementation of the testing programme and thanked the Airport Authority for their staunch support for the Government’s anti-epidemic strategy.
Accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Raymond Siu, the Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and the Deputy Director of Immigration, Mr Chan Tin-chee, Mr Cheung also met with frontline officers of the Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the Immigration Department on duty at the airport.
Mr Cheung took the opportunity to express heartfelt appreciation to the staff on duty during the Chinese New Year holiday for their dedication and hard work. He also wished them good fortune and good health in the Year of the Ox.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 9am today (February 13), 22 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. Including two patients (case number: 10659 and 10… read more
Police today (February 13) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sau Mau Ping. Lee Ching-ping, aged 82, went missing after he was last seen outside Tin Wan Hou… read more