The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, visited the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong today (September 13) to sign the condolence book to express profound condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabe… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 0.00am today (September 13), a total of 2 885 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 343 new patients…. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 13) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, September 13, the CHP was investigating 7 067 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 934 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (897 confirmed cases, 869 asymptomatic cases and 168 cases with pending status) and 5 133 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 151 additional imported cases were reported, including 137 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (14 confirmed cases, 89 asymptomatic cases and 34 cases with pending status) and 14 cases that tested positive by RATs.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 923 168 and 743 962 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations of the cases. Please refer to the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.
Among the specimens received by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch during September 4 to 10 for verification testing of local cases, about 4.8 per cent and 73.8 per cent of them (seven-day moving average) are related to the sub-lineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) of the Omicron mutant strain respectively.
In addition, as of 0.00am, September 13, a total of 9 607 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 524 and 80 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 9 820 death cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (September 12), the total number of confirmed cases was 401 031, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 279 678, 31 and 240 357 respectively.
The spokesman for the CHP stressed that the local situation of COVID-19 infection is severe, with the number of cases tested positive growing at an increased pace. The CHP strongly appeals to the community to strictly comply with social distancing measures and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or mass gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.
​​​​The spokesman said that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients, children, and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected.
​The spokesman reminded members of the public that they can call various hotlines to make enquiries on COVID-19 (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html#hotline). read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 13) that a sample of prepackaged dried longan was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is allowed to be used in certain foods, but the functional class and the name of the additive were not declared on the food label. Members of the public should not consume the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Dried longan
Brand: O’Farm
Net weight: 250 grams
Place of origin: Thailand
Agent: Healfront Limited
Best-before date: February 10, 2024
“The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online retail outlet for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide. Although the sulphur dioxide level is below the maximum permitted level under the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD), the functional class and the name of the additive were not declared on the food label,” a CFS spokesman said.
“The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. According to the CFS’s instructions, the agent concerned has initiated a recall on the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call its hotline at 2111 9787 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned,” the spokesman added.
Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. Sulphur dioxide is water soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.
The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD). Furthermore, the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that prepackaged food shall be legibly marked or labelled with a list of ingredients. The regulations also state that for all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong containing sulphite in a concentration of 10 parts per million or more, the functional class of the sulphite and its name shall be specified in the list of ingredients. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more
In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Sha Tin, Sham Shui Po, Tai Po and Central and Western Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (September 13) that the Sha Tin District Office (STDO), the Sham Shui Po District Office (SSPDO), the Tai Po District Office (TPDO) and the Central and Western District Office (C&WDO) have distributed a total of about 236 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.
The STDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Seanorama, Altissimo, Lake Silver, St Barths, Crown of St Barths, Kwong Yuen Estate and Siu Lek Yuen Village for voluntary testing through the owners’ corporations, the owners’ committees, the property management companies and the village representative.
The SSPDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Aqua Marine, One West Kowloon and Mei Foo Sun Chuen Phase 7 for voluntary testing through the property management companies, the owners’ corporations and the owners’ committees.
In addition, the TPDO and C&WDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Tai Po Centre, Tai Po Plaza and Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po District, as well as Kwun Lung Lau and residential premises around Belcher’s Street and Forbes Street in Central and Western District for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners’ corporations.
The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.
Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.
Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.
The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19. read more