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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) gave the following update today (September 13):
 
     Following contact tracing investigation, an 88-year-old male patient in a medical ward was also identified as a carrier of Candida auris while not having signs of infection. The patient is an old age home resident and had been discharged earlier. The Centre for Health Protection and the Community Nursing Services of YCH were informed for follow-up action. 
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patient in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
    

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. 

     Hongkong Post announced today (September 13) that selected philatelic products issued by China Post, the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) and the overseas postal administrations of the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom will be available for sale online from September 15 (Thursday).
 
     "Dream of the Red Chamber, a Masterpiece in Classical Chinese Literature (V)" special stamps issued by China Post featuring different scenes of the aforementioned novel are printed in photogravure technique to recreate faithfully the style of the original paintings. The CTT issued a set of stamps on the theme of "Red Cotton Tree Flower", capturing the magnificence of the blooming flowers on the stamps, and also a set of stamps themed on "Sixth Patriarch – Hui Neng" to depict the legendary life of this respected Buddhist patriarch. In addition, the CTT issued special stamps and a stamp sheetlet on the theme of "50th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage" to promote the spirit of the Convention.
 
     The Isle of Man Post Office released special stamps featuring Manx buses from 1976 to the present day. The postmark design was inspired by a classic bus ticket. Royal Mail issued a souvenir sheet with four stamps and a serviced first day cover with a stamp set and coin to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the FA Cup. All bus lovers and football fans should not miss out on these collections.
 
     The above philatelic products will be available for sale at the Hongkong Post online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) starting from 8am on September 15 while stocks last. Details of each product, the prices and  sales quotas are set out in the Appendix. For further information, members of the public may visit the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.

              

     The Government yesterday (September 5) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" effective from 5pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Yau Tong (i.e. Chak Mei House, Yau Mei Court, Yau Tong, and a designated area on the podium; excluding levels below the podium) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained.
      
     In addition, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday to any person who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from August 30 to September 5, 2022, to undergo compulsory testing on or before September 7, 2022, even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect. The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 7.30am today (September 6) and is now carrying out enforcement action in the "restricted area" right after to verify that all people in the "restricted area" have undergone compulsory testing. The Government will further announce the revocation time of the declaration.
      
     Starting from around 7.30am today, persons in the specified "restricted area" in Yau Tong who have undergone testing and are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results or wear wristbands as proof of having undergone testing may leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer.
      
     The Government set up temporary specimen collection stations in the "restricted area" yesterday and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to collect combined nasal and throat swab samples at the stations to undergo a COVID-19 virus test before 11pm yesterday. A total of 725 people within the area had undergone testing, among which seven cases tested positive. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will arrange to follow up.
      
     Regarding cases tested positive in the specified "restricted area", the Government has provided additional food packs, health advice for persons tested positive pending admission to hospitals or isolation facilities, disinfection products and surgical masks to these persons and their household members pending follow-up arrangement.
      
     Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit 288 households within the "restricted area", among which 42 households did not answer the door. The Government will take measures to follow up.
      
     The Government reiterates that enforcement actions will be taken seriously. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result or wear a wristband as proof of having undergone testing breaches the compulsory testing notice and may be liable to a fine of $10,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the "restriction-testing declaration" is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 6) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Children, the elderly, the obese and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.