Tag Archives: China

     A 23-year-old male police officer who is posted to the Patrol Sub-unit of Ngau Tau Kok Division, preliminarily tested positive for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).  Feeling unwell on December 21, the police officer’s family member was escorted by ambulance to the hospital and was preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (December 22).  The police officer was later escorted to the hospital and was also tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.  He had no travel history over the past 14 days and wore face masks all the time while coming in contact with members of the public.  He last attended work on December 21.
      
     Police are highly concerned and have the following messages for the public:
 
     (1) While awaiting further assessment and recommendations from the Department of Health (DH), officers that might have come into close contact with the police officer have been arranged to quarantine for observation and undergo tests for the virus;
 
     (2) Police have deployed staff to clean and disinfect the premises where the officer works in;
 
     (3) Police have reminded officers to maintain personal hygiene and reduce social contact to minimise the risk of infection. They should immediately report their cases and consult a doctor if they feel unwell; and
 
     (4) Police will deploy resources flexibly to ensure the provision of services remains unaffected.
 
     Police will continue to maintain close communication with the DH and proactively provide information such as the recent duty record and roster of the police officer concerned. Arrangements will be made for close contacts to be conveyed to quarantine centres to undergo quarantine.
 
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     Police are investigating a murder case in Sheung Shui this morning (December 22) in which a 57-year-old man died.      At 11.47am today, Police received a report that a man was being attacked at… read more

     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 Tak Tai Building in Tai Wo Hau and Block A, Ming Wah Dai Ha in Shau Kei Wan. Starting from today (December 22), the Government has arranged for testing agencies to set up mobile specimen collection stations at the following locations to provide free testing service for respective residents and workers:
 

New mobile specimen collection station	Operating hours of first day (December 22)
Tai Wo Hau Sports Centre (ONCO Medical Laboratory Limited)	2pm to 8pm
Basketball Court, Block A, Ming Wah Dai Ha, Shau Kei Wan (only for residents and workers of Ming Wah Dai Ha) (Prenetics)	noon to 8pm

 
     With effect from tomorrow (December 23), operating hours of all the abovementioned mobile specimen collection stations are standardised from 10am to 8pm, and they will tentatively operate until December 27 (Sunday). The Government will decide whether it is necessary to extend the operation period of the stations after reviewing their usage and public’s demand for the testing service.      
 
     Separately, as there are several COVID-19 confirmed cases in Lei Sang House of Lei Yue Mun Estate, the Community Testing Centre in Yau Tong Community Hall extends free testing service to residents and workers of Lei Yue Mun Estate up to December 27 (Sunday) tentatively. Its operating hours are daily from 8am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 8pm. 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.

     After reviewing the usage and public’s demand for the testing service, the Government has decided to extend the service periods of the mobile specimen collection stations at Heung Sze Wui Street in Tai Po, Sha Tsui Road in Tsuen Wan, Wong Tai Sin Square, Tung Chung North Park and Wong Chuk Hang Recreation Ground to December 25 (Friday). With effect from today (December 22), the mobile specimen collection station at the open space outside King Tsui Court, Chai Wan will open to all residents and workers of King Tsui Court and Fung Wah Estate, up to December 24 (Thursday) tentatively. 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. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, December 22, the CHP was investigating 63 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 8 301 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 8 300 confirmed cases and one probable case).

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

     A total of 1 262 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (December 8 to 21), including 1 182 local cases of which 428 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 One 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 (Annex Two) 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.

     In view of 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. read more

　　A Government spokesman said today (December 22) that the Designated Quarantine Hotel Scheme has been fully implemented since 0.00am today. All 36 designated hotels must solely be receiving travellers arriving from foreign places for compulsory qu… read more