A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 4) that samples from a pet cat sent to the AFCD have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

     The case involves a domestic short-hair cat that lived in Lam Tin. When the owner was found to be infected with COVID-19, the cat was sent to the AFCD for quarantine on December 27. Samples collected from the cat by the department tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. However, the cat has not shown any symptoms. The AFCD will continue to closely monitor the cat and conduct repeat testing.

     The spokesman reminded pet owners to adopt good hygiene practices (including hand washing before and after being around or handling animals, their food or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing them) and to maintain a clean and hygienic household environment. People who have taken ill should restrict contact with animals. If any changes in the health condition of pets are spotted, advice from a veterinarian should be sought as soon as possible.

     The spokesman emphasised that currently there is no evidence to show that pets are playing a role in the spread of infection with the COVID-19 virus among humans. Pet owners should always maintain good hygiene practices and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets.
      
     As of today, eight dogs and eight cats have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     US Dollar Liquidity Facility tender notice:
 

Note: Licensed Banks interested in participating in the tender for the first time are encouraged to provide US dollar settlement instructions by email (settlementsection@hkma.gov.hk) to the HKMA's Settlement Team in advance, preferably two days prior to the tender. Required information includes name of corresponding bank, name of final beneficiary (must be the Licensed Bank participating in the tender), and account or CHIPS number of a US dollar bank account to be settled in the US. Such information needs to be provided once only, unless there is further change.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) today (January 4) announced that a patient confirmed with COVID-19 infection has passed away.
     
     A 75-year-old female patient (case number: 8464) with chronic illness was admitted to PMH due to fever and shortness of breath on December 24, 2020, and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she eventually succumbed at 8.19pm last night (January 3).
 
     The hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer the necessary assistance to her family.
     
     Including the above patient, 147 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     With the prolonged local COVID-19 epidemic situation, there has been a widespread number of confirmed cases across all districts. Some of the confirmed cases have been asymptomatic which indicates the existence of many silent transmission chains within the community. The Government has exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to cover a number of buildings across the territory under compulsory testing notices and require residents, workers and visitors to undergo testing. To facilitate persons covered under the compulsory testing notices to undergo testing, the Government has arranged for testing service providers to set up mobile specimen collection stations at a number of locations in various districts to provide free and convenient testing services for them.
 
     The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations already in operation in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are at the Annex. A new mobile specimen collection station has been set up in Tsui Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O, while the mobile specimen collection station at Cheung Sha Wan Community Centre will also extend its service period to January 6. The Government has taken into account the testing service needs of individual buildings covered under compulsory testing notices and the existing testing services near the buildings in the course of setting up mobile specimen collection stations.
 
     The Government will decide whether it is necessary to increase the number of stations, adjust or extend the operation periods of the stations after reviewing their usage and the public's demand for the testing service.
    
     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. The operating hours of the centres are from 8am to 1.30pm and from 2.30pm to 8pm daily. The centres provide booking as well as on-site registration services. Members of the public are only required to input simple personal information, and select the testing centre and time slot in the 24-hour appointment booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk). The centres accord priority to those who make bookings in advance.

     A Government spokesman said, "The testing service providers will provide specimen collection services by combined nasal and throat swabs at the mobile specimen collection stations and community testing centres for testing free of charge. Generally speaking, mobile specimen collection stations only provide testing services for local residents and workers who are subject to compulsory testing."
 
     People whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS notifications through their mobile phones. Persons subject to compulsory testing must properly keep the relevant records. If any specimen tested shows a preliminarily positive result, the specimen will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health (DH) for a confirmatory test. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.
 
     The Government reminds the public that they can undergo COVID-19 testing for free through various means. For details on other free-of-charge testing means other than mobile specimen collection stations and community testing centres, please refer to the following webpage: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html. If a person has symptoms, he or she should seek medical attention immediately and should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or community testing centres.
 
     For the 40 buildings covered under the compulsory testing notice issued on December 30, 2020 (amended on December 31), and the three buildings covered under the compulsory testing notice on December 31, 2020, persons subject to compulsory testing can receive free testing by January 4, 2021, at mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres or via other testing routes specified in the notices, with ample time provided for them to comply with the requirements set out in the notice.

     The spokesman urged all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with exposure to infection risk (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases) to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.

     A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said today (January 4) that the One-off Grant to Registered Sports Coaches scheme, relaunched after the fourth round of injection into the Anti-epidemic Fund, is now open for application. The scheme will provide a one-off grant of $7,500 for each eligible registered sports coach.
      
     Due to the deteriorating COVID-19 epidemic situation in late-November, the Government further tightened up the social distancing measures. LCSD facilities were temporarily closed in phases again starting from December 2 until further notice. As a result, many sports training activities which relied on the provision of LCSD facilities were suspended again. The one-off grant scheme aims to further provide timely financial relief to eligible registered sports coaches.
      
     Sports coaches registered under National Sports Associations or recognised sports organisations who had provided coaching services from April 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, are eligible to apply. They can submit applications to the Sports Funding Office of the LCSD by February 28, 2021. The grant will be disbursed in batches around two months after receipt of the completed application form and relevant documents.
      
     The application form and guidelines of the scheme are available from the website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/programmes/programmeslist/sss/subsidyscheme.html) or the 18 District Leisure Services Offices of the LCSD. Please contact the Sports Funding Office at 2601 7411 for enquiries.