A Government spokesman said today (August 18) that the "LeaveHomeSafe" telephone hotline service will be enhanced starting from tomorrow (August 19) by increasing its manpower and extending the service hours to 1… read more
In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Tai Po, Sha Tin, Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (August 18) that the Tai Po District Office (TPDO), the Sha Tin District Office (STDO), the Kwun Tong District Office (KTDO) and the Wong Tai Sin District Office (WTSDO) have distributed a total of about 251 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.
The TPDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Lam Tsuen San Tsuen, Ping Long, Mei Tak Building, 1-39 Po Yick Street, 1-19 Kwong Fuk Road, Kwong Fook Building, Central Plaza, Yee Nga Court, Ming Nga Court, Sun Hing Garden, Serenity Park Phases 1 and 2, Tai Po Tau, Serenity Villa, the Wonderland, San Wa On Lane and Full Scene Garden for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the Village Representatives.
The STDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Greenview Garden, San Tin Village, Kak Tin Village, Kak Tin Village Nam Kau, Golden Lion Garden Phase 1, Fung Shing Court, Belair Gardens and the Riverpark for voluntary testing through the owners’ corporations, the property management companies and the Village Representatives.
The KTDO also commenced distributing rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Jade Field Garden, Wang Kwong Building, Lee Kee Building, Shiu King Building, Ocean One, Peninsula East, the Spectacle, Maya, One East Coast, Canaryside, Yau Tong Centre and Yau Chui Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
In addition, the WTSDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Pang Ching Court and residential premises around Tsui Fung Street and Fei Fung Street for voluntary testing through the property management company, the owners’ corporations and the mutual aid committees. The WTSDO also arranged to distribute rapid test kits to households living in “three-nil” buildings with positive sewage testing results in the district.
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
The Security Bureau (SB) today (August 18) announced that it attaches great importance to recent incidents in which Hong Kong people were suspected to have been lured to Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar … read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 0.00am today (August 18), a total of 1 886 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 265 new patients. Am… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 18) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, August 18, the CHP was investigating 5 811 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 2 184 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (986 confirmed cases, 963 asymptomatic cases and 235 cases with pending status) and 3 627 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 243 additional imported cases were reported, including 212 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (14 confirmed cases, 156 asymptomatic cases and 42 cases with pending status) and 31 cases that tested positive by RATs.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 852 921 and 585 970 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.
As of yesterday (August 17), among the specimens received by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch for verification testing of local cases, about 8 per cent and 22.4 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) under the Omicron mutant strain respectively.
In addition, as of 0.00am, August 18, a total of 9 376 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 295 and 78 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 9 589 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, the total number of confirmed cases was 368 651, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 245 022, 31 and 236 821 respectively.
The spokesman for the CHP stressed that as the local situation of COVID-19 infection is still severe, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.
​​​The spokesman reminded the public 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 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. read more