The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 12) collected an estimated total of 83 tonnes of refuse at 15 points of sale (POS) of New Year flowers throughout Hong Kong, among which some 11 tonnes were collected at the POS at Victoria Park.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said that the department continued to collaborate with the Environmental Campaign Committee and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to promote green practice at the POS this year. In addition to the collection of general recyclables including waste paper, plastics and metals, collection of other recyclable items were also conducted at the POS to cover bamboo sticks, wooden pallets, polyfoam and wilted or unsold flowers in order to enhance recycling of resources.

     About 33 tonnes of bamboo sticks, 1.9 tonnes of wooden pallets, 24 tonnes of wilted or unsold flowers as well as 0.7 tonnes of polyfoam were collected in the 15 POS. The EPD or green groups will make arrangements for putting all recyclables to their best use through recycling or donation to other organisations and members of the public. 

     The department deployed 129 staff members, 27 refuse collection vehicles and street cleaning vehicles to clean up the Victoria Park venue. The other 14 POS were cleaned up by the department's cleansing contractors. All site clearance work was completed at about 5pm. After thorough cleansing, the venues were restored to their original state.

    

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited personnel on duty at five community testing centres in various districts across the city this morning (February 12), the first day of the Lunar New Year, to thank them for their hard work in serving members of the public during the holidays. She also extended New Year greetings to staff members and other people at the community testing centres.
 
     Accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, Mrs Lam visited community testing centres at Shek Tong Tsui Sports Centre in Central and Western District, Wai Tsuen Sports Centre in Tsuen Wan, Lai King Community Hall, Ma On Shan Sports Centre and Morse Park Sports Centre in Wong Tai Sin to learn more about their operations during the Lunar New Year. She was pleased to note that the community testing centres have been operating smoothly, with staff members conversant with work procedures and appropriate anti-epidemic measures put in place inside and outside the centres, with an orderly arrangement in place for people undergoing tests.
 
     The five community testing centres visited by Mrs Lam are operated by five private testing agencies, which have been helping the Government to provide free compulsory tests and tests for target groups as well as self-paid services to tens of thousands of people over the past few months. They are vital partners of the Government in the fight against the epidemic. Since last November, the testing agencies have conducted some 900 000 tests at various community testing centres and have identified about 900 confirmed cases for follow-up by the Centre for Health Protection. Mrs Lam said that the testing agencies played an important role in the intensive "restriction-testing declaration" operations conducted by the Government over the past two weeks. They were required to set up specimen collection stations at the relevant locations within a short period of time, and complete testing and release testing results within a specified time frame in order to minimise the impact of the operations on members of the public. During the 26 "restriction-testing declaration" operations, the testing agencies conducted virus tests for about 25 000 members of the public in total, identifying 20 confirmed cases.
 
     During her visit, Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the staff members of the testing agencies, and members of the Government, who manage the venues for continuing to serve the public during the holidays. She also thanked members of the public who took tests at the centres for their participation, noting that they underwent tests mainly to meet the needs of their workplaces.
 
     "Although the local epidemic situation has gradually eased, we cannot let up on testing. All 19 community testing centres will continue to operate during the holidays. While the Government is gearing up for the vaccination programme, virus testing is still crucial in the fight against the disease. I appeal to people to take tests, regardless of whether they are subject to compulsory testing or fall within the target groups, to contribute to the fight against the epidemic.
 
     "Many people still have to work to fight the virus during the Lunar New Year holidays. I hope that members of the public can also show support with actions such as going out less, avoiding gatherings during the holidays and maintaining personal hygiene, so that Hong Kong can get through the epidemic early and people's normal lives can resume as soon as possible," said Mrs Lam.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) announces a sentinel event today (February 12):
 
     A 32-year-old male patient was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday. He was last seen by ward staff at around 8am during breakfast and medicine distribution. However, he was found not on his bed at around 8.30am therefore ward staff contacted hospital foreman for searching. A few minutes later, hospital foreman received report that a man wearing patient clothes was lying on the sidewalk a few minutes’ walk from the hospital. Hospital staff got to the spot immediately and called the police. It was confirmed that the man was the patient leaving the ward by himself earlier. Medical staff escorted patient to the Accident and Emergency Department for resuscitation. The patient was certified dead at 10.35am.
 
     TMH is deeply saddened by the incident. The hospital expresses condolences to the family members and will offer necessary assistance. The hospital is very concerned about the incident and has reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. A root cause analysis investigation will be conducted to look into the incident. The investigation report will be submitted to the Head Office in eight weeks. The case has been referred to the coroner for follow-up.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (February 12), 59 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 10 136 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 679 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 237 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 373 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 23 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 22 patients are in critical condition, 17 are in serious condition and the remaining 334 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:
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 12, the CHP was investigating 24 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 756 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 755 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, six are imported cases.
 
     A total of 410 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (January 29 to February 11), including 366 local cases of which 111 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.