Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 9) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, August 9, the CHP was investigating 3 783 additional locally acquired cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 1 439 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (655 confirmed cases, 628 asymptomatic cases and 156 cases with pending case status) and 2 344 cases tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 262 additional imported cases were reported, including 230 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (17 confirmed cases, 164 asymptomatic cases and 49 cases with pending case status) and 32 cases tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 835 893 and 557 434 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 on the cases. Please refer to the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     As of yesterday (August 8), among the specimens received by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch in the past seven days for verification testing of local cases, about 7.0 per cent and 10.0 per cent of them are related to 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 9, a total of 9 337 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 257 and 77 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 9 550 death cases that have 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 361 486, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 237 017, 31 and 235 690 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.

     â€‹The spokesman reminded 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

     In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Sai Kung, Tuen Mun, Kwai Tsing and North Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (August 9) that the Sai Kung District Office (SKDO), the Tuen Mun District Office (TMDO), the Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO) and the North District Office (NDO) have distributed a total of about 419 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The SKDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Mount Verdant, Po Ming Court and Kwong Ming Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
      
     The TMDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Lung Mun Oasis, and residential premises around Tsing Yin Street and Luk Yuen Street for voluntary testing through the property management companies, the owner’s corporation and the mutual aid committees.
      
     The K&TDO also commenced distributing rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Tivoli Garden, Greenview Villa, Tsing Yi Estate, Ching Shing Court, Ching Wah Court, Mount Haven, Broadview Garden and Cheung On Estate for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
      
     In addition, the NDO commenced distributing rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Wealthy Villas, Century Court, Fortune House, Parkford Garden, Magdalene Garden, Royal Knoll, Grand Tower, Commune Modern, Belair Monte and Green Code for voluntary testing through the property management companies.

     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 National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force this morning (August 9) arrested two men, aged 28 and 29, for suspected of “doing an act or acts with seditious intention”, contravening Section 9 … read more

     The Task Force on Supplies from the Mainland led by the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) has been working closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government to explore various means to stabilise the supply of goods from the Mainland to Hong Kong.
 
     A spokesperson for the TLB said that the “Sea Express” water transportation service from the Mainland to Hong Kong has been fully launched and its capacity is rising to increase the supplies of fresh food, other daily necessities and manufacturing materials. The current supply of fresh food from the Mainland is stable.
 
     The spokesperson said today (August 9) that Shenzhen operated 39 cargo vessel trips and transported around 5 120 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cross-boundary supplies by water yesterday (August 8), equivalent to about 28 930 tonnes of goods, of which around 10 TEUs (about 100 tonnes) were fresh food and around 5 110 TEUs (about 28 830 tonnes) were non-fresh food, according to information from the Mainland authorities.
 
     Since the launch of services from the three ports in Shenzhen since February 18 to yesterday, a total of around 788 880 TEUs of cross-boundary supplies have been transported, equivalent to about 3 813 410 tonnes of goods, of which around 2 230 TEUs (about 18 920 tonnes) were fresh food and around 786 650 TEUs (about 3 794 490 tonnes) were non-fresh food.
 
     Meanwhile, to avoid a spillover of the epidemic, the Transport Department (TD) arranges for dedicated staff to conduct rapid nucleic acid tests, using nasopharyngeal swabs for specimen collection, for cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers at various land boundary control points. Only drivers with a negative result are allowed to enter the Mainland. A total of 3 072 rapid nucleic acid tests were conducted yesterday, among which four cases that tested indeterminate were found. The TD has passed the cases to the Department of Health for follow-up.
 
     The TLB will closely monitor the situation and co-operate with the Mainland authorities to facilitate and implement various measures to ensure both smooth cross-boundary land transport and a stable goods supply to Hong Kong, while reducing the risk of epidemic transmission in both the Mainland and Hong Kong. read more

     A 28-year-old woman was sentenced by the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (August 9) to imprisonment for six days, suspended for 12 months, for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E).

     The woman was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 21 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on November 6, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today to imprisonment for six days, suspended for 12 months.

     Breaching a compulsory 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 quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 256 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations. read more