The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (January 25), 22 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 9 056 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 676 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 224 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 828 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 24 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 35 patients are in critical condition, 34 are in serious condition and the remaining 759 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 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 The Bank of East Asia, Limited on a fraudulent website, 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 website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website 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.

      The Beijing Municipal Government recently announced that the COVID-19 nucleic acid test requirement for persons entering Beijing from Hong Kong would be adjusted with effect from January 27. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (January 25) urged members of the public to pay attention and ensure that they can meet the requirement when travelling to Beijing to avoid hiccups when crossing the border.
 
      The updated requirement on the COVID-19 nucleic acid test set by the Beijing Municipal Government stated that, starting from midnight on January 27, all persons travelling from Hong Kong to Beijing by direct flights would be required to present valid proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result issued within seven days (from the time when the report is issued) by one of the local COVID-19 nucleic acid testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government. The cover of the test report should include, in Chinese and English, the name and identification number of the traveller, method and time of the test specimen collection, the test result, time of issuance of the report and the signature of the reporting officer (collectively called the "standardised cover information"). Airlines will check the relevant documents before boarding. Travellers who fail to comply with the requirements will not be allowed to board the plane. After entering Beijing, travellers must follow local prevention and control measures policies strictly. 
 
      The Government spokesman said, "Before departure to Beijing, members of the public should pay attention to the latest prevention and control measures policies of Beijing in advance. They should also take the COVID-19 nucleic acid test at the testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government on time, request for a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result with the standardised cover information, and cooperate with airlines on the checking of the test results before boarding."
 
      The designated testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government have been posted on the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories.pdf).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 25) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a residential child care centre in Yau Tsim Mong District, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves 20 boys and 15 girls aged 10 to 44 months, as well as four female staff aged 22 to 38. They developed fever, vomiting and diarrhoea since January 21. Twenty-one of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients are in stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the centre concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The centre has been put under medical surveillance.

     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
 

• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

   
     The public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients in a medical ward being confirmed to be carriers of Carbapenem Resistant Acinetobacter (CRA), the spokesperson of Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) gave the following update today (January 25):
 
     In accordance with prevailing guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and confirmed one more male patient, aged 56, as being a CRA carrier. The patient is being treated under isolation at PWH with stable condition.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up. The hospital will continue to adopt enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned.