The Government has exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and published in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at seven specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) said today (January 18), "A number of confirmed cases were recently found in the district of Yau Ma Tei and Jordan over a short period of time. To cut the transmission chain in the district as soon as possible, the Government has earlier decided to take a further step on 'compulsory testing on mandatory basis' in a specified area bounded by Nathan Road to its east, Kansu Street to its north, Ferry Street to its west and Jordan Road to its south. Within the specified area, buildings with one or more confirmed cases found in a unit in the past 14 days would be included in the compulsory testing notice under Cap. 599J. Persons who had been present at the relevant building in the past 14 days will have to undergo compulsory testing. Seven buildings fulfilling the above criteria are covered by the compulsory testing notice today."
 
     "The Government will seriously follow up on the compliance of compulsory testing notices by persons subject to compulsory testing, and continually review the compulsory testing arrangement of the above specified area taking into account the epidemic development. Since the infection risk in the community of the specified area might be higher, the Government encourages residents in the area to undergo testing proactively and promptly, even if they are not subject to compulsory testing. The mobile specimen collection stations will provide free testing services for all residents in the area regardless of whether they are subject to compulsory testing or not."
 
     Details of the compulsory testing notice are as follows:

     Any person who had been present at any of the following specified premises for more than two hours at any time during the period from January 5 to January 18, 2021 (including but not limited to visitors, residents and workers), have to undergo testing by January 21, 2021. If persons subject to compulsory testing have previously undergone testing between January 16 and January 18, 2021, they would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.

1. 184-186 Shanghai Street, Yau Tsim Mong
2. Hang Fook Building, 170-174 Shanghai Street, Yau Tsim Mong
3. 16-18 Reclamation Street, Yau Tsim Mong
4. Bo Lun Building, 28-34 Battery Street, Yau Tsim Mong
5. Siu Hing Building, 230-236 Temple Street, Yau Tsim Mong
6. 542-544 Canton Road, Yau Tsim Mong
7. 161-163 Temple Street, Yau Tsim Mong

     The mobile specimen collection stations at Kwun Chung Sports Centre and Section of Canton Road between Jordan Road and Saigon Street (also called Jade Street) will continue to provide free testing service for persons subject to compulsory testing and other residents of the district. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in the Annex. Apart from mobile specimen collection stations, persons subject to compulsory testing can also choose to attend any of the community testing centres in all districts to receive testing free of charge.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:
 
1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
 
2. To attend any of the community testing centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/);
 
3. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
 
4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;
 
5. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the Department of Health (DH) and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or
 
6. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the Centre for Health Protection (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

     The spokesman cautioned that testing received at accident and emergency departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     "If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the community testing centres."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notification containing result of the test for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notice should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the community testing centres, they can check the centre's appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the community testing centres are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info/.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notice. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notice commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.
 
     Members of the Auxiliary Medical Service and the relevant officers of departments such as DH, Home Affairs Department, Social Welfare Department, Housing Department and Hong Kong Police Force, are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). Collection and use of any personal data for conducting COVID-19 tests must meet the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Government departments or testing service providers which handle the relevant information may provide the data to DH or other relevant departments for anti-epidemic purpose as necessary. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to organisations or persons outside Hong Kong.

     The spokesman said, "The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons. The FHB will publish compulsory testing notices regarding particular groups when necessary taking into account the epidemic developments and the testing participation rate."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (January 18) regarding an Operation Assistant tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19:
 
     An Operation Assistant of the Supporting Services Department had sore throat and cough on January 16. She consulted doctor at QEH Accident & Emergency Department on January 17 before reporting duty. A COVID-19 test was arranged and she was preliminarily tested positive on January 18. She is now in stable condition. She last performed her duty on January 15.

     The hospital conducted contact tracing immediately. The colleague concerned was mainly responsible for cleansing in exterior areas.  She did not perform any high-risk clinical procedures in ward. She was equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment at work. No patient was hence identified as close contact. Five Operation Assistants having meal with the colleague were identified as close contacts and will be arranged for quarantine.
      
     The hospital has completed thorough cleansing and disinfection of the concerned staff rest room and changing room. The hospital has also arranged staff as needed for COVID-19 test, and the test results are all negative. The hospital would continue to closely monitor the health condition of the staff members and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest progress.
 
     The hospital has already reminded staff to avoid from having meal together to minimise the infection risk.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 18) said as eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 recently occurred at Hiu Fung House, Fung Wah Estate in Chai Wan involved units 13 at three different floors, the CHP is proactively following up to investigate whether the infections of the cases are related, so as to stop the potential risk of further spread of the virus.

     The CHP has co-ordinated with related Government departments and conducted a site inspection this afternoon to the concerned floors and units of Hiu Fung House to investigate and examine if environmental factors were involved in the infection of the cases. As the patients live on the 12th floor or below, the CHP took into account the opinions from experts and decided to carry out prudent measures on infection control before the relevant departments completed their inspection of the pipes of the building. The DH will issue quarantine orders to all asymptomatic residents of units 13 between 1st floor and 12th floor of Hiu Fung House and transfer them to quarantine centres; symptomatic residents will be sent to the hospital for treatment. Separately, all asymptomatic residents of units 13 between 13th floor and 34th floor have to undergo COVID-19 nucleic acid tests again on January 21 and 28.

     The Government has earlier exercised power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to require any person who had been present at Hiu Fung House for more than two hours at any time during the period from January 2 to 15 (including but not limited to residents, visitors and workers) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test by January 18.

     The CHP spokesman urged all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with exposure to infection risk, to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.

     For the well being of members of the public and public health safety, the Government appeals to the co-operation of all related residents to participate in the testing and stay home until the results of the tests are available, so as to prevent the risk of spreading the virus in the community.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, January 18, the CHP was investigating 107 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 9 665 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 9 664 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, five are imported cases.

     A total of 593 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (January 4 to 17), including 549 local cases of which 168 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.

     Regarding the severe epidemic situation, 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the North District Hospital (NDH) made the following announcement today (January 18) regarding a doctor tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19:
 
     A medical doctor who is currently rotated to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) attended the Hospital's Accident & Emergency Department last night due to fever and diarrhoea. COVID-19 test was arranged and the preliminary result was positive. The doctor is now being treated under isolation in stable condition.
 
     The doctor started experiencing mild malaise on January 15 and his last date of duty was January 17. His clinical duties include taking care of COVID-19 patients. The doctor intubated a confirmed patient in ICU on January 5 and he was wearing full personal protective equipment while performing the procedure.
 
     The Hospital Infection Control Team is working with the Centre for Health Protection on contact tracing. A nurse in the Medical Department who is a family member of the doctor and two medical doctors who have had meal together with the confirmed doctor are classified as close contact and quarantine will be arranged. They have all undergone COVID-19 tests and the results are negative. As the doctor has been wearing appropriate personal protective equipment during work, no patient is classified as close contact.
 
     As a precautionary measure, viral tests and medical surveillance are being arranged for relevant staff and patients in ICU and the Department of Medicine. Thorough cleansing and disinfection of the areas where the doctor has worked and rested has been arranged. The Hospital will continue to closely monitor the health condition of the concerned staff members and patients and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.