A 26-year-old female police officer who is posted to Regional Missing Person Unit, Kowloon East Region was preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. She felt unwell on December 18 and sought medical treatment at a clinic on December 20. Preliminary results released today (December 22) showed that she tested positive for COVID-19. She had no travel history over the past 14 days. She attended a meeting with a non-government organisation (NGO) on December 19. The officer concerned wore face mask throughout the meeting and the NGO was informed immediately afterwards. She last attended work on December 19.

     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.

     In view of the extension of special work arrangements for government employees until January 6, 2021, a spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (December 22) that all Regional Education Offices and the Joint Office for Kindergartens and Child Care Centres will continue to provide emergency services and essential public services ‪during this period.
 
     The spokesman reminded that members of the public who need these services should contact the service units concerned by phone in advance. 
 
     As for appointments already made for the audiological services at the Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, officers of the EDB will contact the parents concerned for appropriate arrangements.
 
     The School Places Allocation Section will continue to provide limited hotline services to handle enquiries and appointments.
 
     When circumstances permit, the Teacher Registration Team will invite applicants to proceed with the necessary procedure in due course. For the new teachers taking up teaching posts in this school year, their applications would not be affected in principle.
 
     Regarding the following public facilities/units of the EDB, they will remain closed to the public temporarily until further notice:
 
1. Hong Kong Teachers' Centre, Special Education Resource Centre and Young Achievers' Gallery located at Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre;
2. Arts and Technology Education Centre (including STEM Education Centre);
3. School Places Allocation Section;
4. Qualifications Framework Secretariat; and
5. Teacher Registration Team.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (December 22), 85 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 6 995 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 681 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 241 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 1 081 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 22 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 67 patients are in critical condition, 63 are in serious condition and the remaining 951 patients are in stable condition.
 
     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:
 

     A man who went missing in Sha Tin has been located.

     Yeung Lok-him, aged 26, went missing after he left his residence in Wo Che Estate on December 17 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man turned up at Sha Tin Police Station to cancel the missing person report on December 20 afternoon.

     A 47-year-old man was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for 14 days by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (December 22) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) (the Regulation).

     The man was issued a compulsory quarantine order when he entered Hong Kong on June 2, stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer, he went to the office of the Immigration Department on the same day to handle issues relating to his identity card. He was charged with contravening sections 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 14 days. 
 
     Pursuant to the Regulation, starting from February 8, save for exempted persons, all persons who have stayed in the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan in the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality or travel documents, will be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Moreover, pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E), starting from March 19, all persons arriving from countries or territories outside China would also be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the Regulation. As of today, a total of 88 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.