The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, January 6, the CHP was investigating 25 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 9 075 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 9 074 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, three had a travel history during the incubation period.

     A total of 749 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (December 23 to January 5), including 688 local cases of which 244 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 Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 6) announced that a trace amount of malachite green was found in a goldfish sample. A follow-up is in progress.

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned goldfish sample from a stall at Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained a trace amount of malachite green at a level of 0.75 parts per billion."

     The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed the vendor to stop sale of the affected product. The CFS is also tracing the source and distribution of the product concerned.

     Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infections in fish. Currently, malachite green has been prohibited for use in food-producing animals in many countries. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap 132AF), no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (January 6), 74 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 8 201 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 691 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 261 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 665 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 22 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 43 patients are in critical condition, 44 are in serious condition and the remaining 578 patients are in stable condition.
 
     Furthermore, a 95-year-old female patient confirmed with COVID-19 infection (case number: 7053) was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on December 6 due to pneumonia symptoms. She was transferred to North Lantau Hospital for further treatment upon release from her isolation order. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she eventually succumbed at 1.20pm yesterday (January 5). Including this patient, a total of 150 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 
     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:
 

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council meeting today (January 6):
 
Reporter: Mr Lee, what exactly is the legal basis and evidence for arresting all the 50 pro-democracy figures under the National Security Law? Is it now against the National Security Law to try to win the majority in LegCo and also to plan to veto Government Budget? Also, what do you say about the 600 000 people who voted in the "primary", did they also potentially violate the National Security Law?
                                                                                                                
Secretary for Security: First of all, the operation today targets the active elements who are suspected to have been involved in the crime of overthrowing or interfering, seriously destroying the Hong Kong Government's legal execution of duties. We are talking about taking action against the active elements. The operation today does not involve other non-active elements including those who voted in the so-called primary election. I have explained that the people involved are suspected of making use of what they called a "35-plus" plan and a "10-step mutual destruction scheme" to in some way paralyse the Hong Kong Government. They aimed to get 35 or more seats in the LegCo through something they have organised as a "primary", so that once they have achieved their goal, they will veto regardless of the actual content of the Government Budget, so as to create a situation that the Chief Executive has to resign and the Government stops functioning. This is to paralyse the Government. They have a "10-step mutual destruction plan" in which they will be mobilising mass-scale riots in streets together with other actions to in some way paralyse the society. Coupled with international sanctions, the plan is to create mutual destruction, so that the society as a whole, using their words "jump the cliff". The plot is to cause such mutual destruction that, if successful, this "10-step mutual destruction" plan will result in serious damage to society as a whole. That is why the Police's action today is necessary.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 6) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in the Municipality of Sjöbo in Skåne County in Sweden and in South Derbyshire District of Derbyshire in the United Kingdom (UK), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the Municipality of Sjöbo and the neighbouring Municipalities of Skurup and Lund in Sweden as well as South Derbyshire District in the UK with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
     
     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of last year, Hong Kong imported about 1,150 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Sweden and about 8,700 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 330,000 poultry eggs from the UK.
     
     "The CFS has contacted the Swedish and British authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.