The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, December 27, the CHP was investigating 70 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 8 611 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 8 610 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, one is an imported case.

     A total of 1 094 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (December 13 to 26), including 1 010 local cases of which 399 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 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 the specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid test 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 Labour Department, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Leisure and Cultural Department (LCSD) today (December 27) conducted mobile broadcasts in popular gathering places of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to call upon them to comply with the anti-epidemic regulations on the prohibition of group gatherings of more than two persons and mask-wearing in public places. In addition, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Police and the FEHD also conducted publicity in Tai Lam Country Park in Tai Tong, Yuen Long.

     Publicity vans parked at popular FDH gathering places in various districts (including Tamar Park in Admiralty, Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, footbridge near Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok, the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, various places at Central and Tseung Kwan O) to broadcast reminders in Chinese, English and major FDH languages (including Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia and Thai) to call upon FDHs to comply with the regulations on the prohibition of group gatherings of more than two persons and mask-wearing in public places. During the broadcasts, promotional leaflets were distributed by officers from the departments concerned to appeal to FDHs to maintain environmental hygiene and refrain from conducting unlicensed hawking activities, including cooked food or other hawking activities. Also, the Police increased manpower to step up patrols at those places, and the FEHD took follow-up actions to keep those places clean.

      On the same day, the AFCD, the Police and the FEHD put up banners in various locations in Tai Lam Country Park in Tai Tong, Yuen Long, to appeal to countryside visitors to abide by the regulations and measures concerning complying with the restrictions on group gatherings, observing social distancing and mask-wearing etc. Promotional leaflets were distributed by officers from the departments concerned to appeal to cherish our environment and maintain personal and environmental hygiene.  Also, the Police increased manpower to step up patrols at those places and the FEHD took follow-up actions to keep those places clean.

      A Government spokesman said, "The Government had amended the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) to prohibit group gatherings of more than two persons in public places. A person who participates in a prohibited group gathering may be charged a fixed penalty, the amount of which has been raised to $5,000. At the same time, the fixed penalty charged against a person who fails to wear a mask in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I) has also been raised to $5,000. The Government will continue to conduct publicity to FDHs and remind them to strictly observe the relevant regulations, and to avoid gatherings (including in boarding facilities), food sharing and other social activities on their rest days and stay at home for rest as far as possible to safeguard their personal health."

     The Government spokesman added, "The LCSD also appealed to the public to observe appropriate social distancing and abide by regulations on the prohibition of group gatherings and the requirement to wear a mask at all times at the department's venues.  Offenders are liable to prosecution. In addition, country park visitors should wear a mask and maintain an appropriate social distance with others. They should avoid going to crowded places during the peak period, and should not have meal gatherings in crowded places. Visitors should keep the countryside clean and maintain personal and environmental hygiene. They should properly dispose of used masks and waste and "bring your litter home". Anyone who commits a littering offence in a country park area is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500."
 
     As observed on site, the vast majority of FDHs and members of the public had observed the relevant regulations after being advised.  As for those who still refused to abide by the regulations after repeated reminders, the relevant departments had taken enforcement actions. Upon expiry of the first cut-off stage today, a total of 43 fixed penalty notices at $5,000 were issued during the aforementioned joint operations.
 
     The Government will continue to step up publicity and enforcement, and as needed conduct joint operations to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements. The Government also appeals to all to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together and abide by the law.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) today (December 27) announced that a patient confirmed with COVID-19 infection passed away today.
 
     A 92-year-old female patient (case number: 7753) with chronic illness was admitted to QEH on December 14 due to abdominal pain. She was later tested positive for COVID-19. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and she eventually succumbed at 3.22pm today.
 
     The hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to her family.
 
     Including the above patient, 133 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (December 27), together with relevant departments, continued to step up patrols at venues managed by the LCSD in the territory to remind members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people. The public should also strictly observe regulations on the prohibition of group gathering and should wear masks at all times when being present in any public place. The LCSD has stepped up patrols with the Police during the Christmas holiday and nearly 6 000 times verbal advice and 10 fixed penalty notices were given out to offenders of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap 599G) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap 599I).
 
     Nearly 2 500 times verbal advice and 34 fixed penalty notices were given out at various venues managed by the LCSD throughout the territory as at 4pm today. The LCSD spokesman calls on members of the public to exercise self-discipline in order to reduce the chances of spreading the virus in the community.
 
     The LCSD will continue to step up patrols on New Year's Eve and the first day of January. Enforcement actions will be taken against offenders.

            

     The local COVID-19 epidemic situation is worsening rapidly. The confirmed cases are distributed all over the territory. Some of the confirmed cases are asymptomatic and this indicates the existence of many silent transmission chains in the community. The Government is very concerned about a number of COVID-19 confirmed cases reported recently at Lei Sang House of Lei Yue Mun Estate, and has arranged for a testing agency to set up a mobile specimen collection station at the following location and dates to provide free testing service for residents and workers of Lei Sang House:
 

 
     Operating hours of the above-mentioned mobile specimen collection station are from 10am to 8pm daily. The Government will decide whether it is necessary to extend the operation period of the station after reviewing its usage and public's demand for the testing service.      

     Separately, the Community Testing Centre in Yau Tong Community Hall also continues to provide free testing service to other residents and workers of Lei Yue Mun Estate up to December 31 (Thursday) tentatively. Its operating hours are from 8am to 1.30pm and from 2.30pm to 8pm daily. It provides 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 centre accords priority to those who make bookings in advance.

     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 at Annex.

     A Government spokesman said, "The testing agencies will provide specimen collection services by combined nasal and throat swabs at the mobile specimen collection stations for testing free of charge. Persons who are subject to compulsory testing and undergo testing at the mobile specimen collection stations will be deemed to have undergone a test at a Community Testing Centre. The mobile specimen collection stations will accord priority to provide testing service for local residents and workers who are subject to compulsory testing."

     People whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS through their mobile phones. 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 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.