The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (November 1), a total of 1 959 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 208 new patients. Currently, there are 175 patients requiring oxygen therapy and 11 patients requiring ventilator support. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 399 patients are in isolation wards, 115 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 463 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 132 in total are new patients. There are 10 newly reported critical patients and four newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 34 patients in critical condition and 37 are in serious condition, of which 12 critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 225 patients who have recovered, including 194 patients who have been discharged. In addition, 13 patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 79 659 patients who have recovered so far, including 79 303 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 92 039 patients who have recovered, including 91 683 patients who have been discharged.
 
     In addition, three patients in a male forensic ward of Castle Peak Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19 since October 30. An investigation found five more patients that have tested positive for COVID-19 without symptoms. All patients are being treated in isolation and are in stable condition. Admission and visiting arrangements for the ward concerned have been suspended. Thorough cleaning and disinfection operations have been conducted in the areas concerned, while infection control measures have been enhanced.
 
     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.

     The Census and Statistics Department today (November 1) said that the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, is undergoing home quarantine in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, as a household member has tested positive for COVID-19 through a nucleic acid test. Mr Yu will work from home during the quarantine period.
 
     Mr Yu has conducted COVID-19 rapid antigen tests regularly with negative test results obtained. He also tested negative after conducting a COVID-19 rapid antigen test today. He has worn masks and has followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. 

     A 26-year-old woman was sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (November 1) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).

     The woman was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at a guest house for seven days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on March 19, 2022, and removed her wristbrand without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was stopped by an immigration officer at Hong Kong International Airport. She was charged with one count of contravening sections 8(1) and (5) and two counts of contravening sections 8(4) and (5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts to imprisonment for two weeks, suspended for 12 months, for each of the three charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.

     â€‹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 268 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.

     The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau announced today (November 1) appointments to the Committee on Venue Partnership (CVP) with the appointment of Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung as Chairperson. The appointments are for a two-year term up to October 31, 2024.

     Established in 2006, the CVP comprises members of different backgrounds with a great wealth of professional expertise and experience in various aspects. The CVP advises the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on the formulation of monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the Venue Partnership Scheme. 

     A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau thanked Ms Lillian Hau Cheuk-ki, the outgoing CVP member, for her ardent support and invaluable contribution in the past years, and looks forward to receiving the valuable advice of the new CVP on the development of LCSD performance venues.

     â€‹The membership list and terms of reference of the CVP are as follows:
 
Chairperson
Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung
 
Members
Mr Arnold Chan Kwan-yeung
Mr Anthony Cheung Chun-yue
Ms Vicky Fung Wing-ki
Mr Frank Lee King-ting
Dr Edmund Lee Tak-yue
Dr Leung Chi-hin
Ms Candice Leung Wai-yee
Ms Samantha Liu Ling-ling
Mr Ryan Wong Man-yeung
Mr Tam Wing-pong (Ex-officio Member, Chairperson of Programme and Development Committee)
 
Terms of Reference

     To advise the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services on the Venue Partnership Scheme on:
 

• The formulation of a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the venue partners at LCSD performance venues in enhancing the artistic image and character of the venue and its partner; enlarging the audience base; optimising usage of facilities; developing venue-based marketing strategies; and encouraging community involvement in the development and promotion of the arts in the community through partnership and collaboration;
• The review of the venue booking policy to enhance the long-term development of LCSD performance venues;
• The implementation and review of the Venue Partnership Scheme at all relevant LCSD performance venues; and
• The interface with the Programme and Development Committee.

     The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau announced today (November 1) appointments to the Programme and Development Committee (PDC) and its six Art Form Sub-committees (AFSCs), namely Music, Dance and Multi-Arts, Theatre, Chinese Traditional Performing Arts, Community, and Festivals. All appointments are for a two-year term up to October 31, 2024. 

     â€‹Established in 2006, the PDC and its six Art Form Panels (AFPs) (now renamed as AFSCs) comprise members of different backgrounds with a great wealth of professional expertise and relevant experience. The PDC and its six AFSCs advise the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on programme strategies, plans, resource allocation and the support for budding and small-scale performing arts groups.

     â€‹A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau thanked the outgoing Dance and Multi-Arts Panel Chairperson, Ms Angel Hang Cam-tho; the outgoing Community Panel Chairperson, Mr Tsang Kee-kung; the outgoing PDC members, Dr Shelby Chan Kar-yan and Mr Kevin Wong Kin-wang; and the 10 outgoing AFP members, namely Professor Chow Yiu-fai, Ms Fung Wai-hang, Mr Elbe Lau Kan-yui, Mr Weigo Lee Kwok-wai, Professor Li Siu-leung, Mr Liu Kwok-sum, Mr Ng Cheuk-yin, Mr Yang Yun-tao, Dr Yang Yusi and Mr Wu Hoi-fai, for their ardent support and invaluable contributions in the past years, and looked forward to the new PDC and its AFSCs offering valuable advice on the performing arts programme plans and their implementation.

     The membership list and terms of reference of the PDC are as follows:

Chairperson
Mr Tam Wing-pong

Members
Professor Winton Au Wing-tung
Mr Chan Ching-kan
Mr Terence Chang Thomp-kwan
Ms Amanda Cheung
Ms Margaret Cheung Kwok-wing
Mr Chiu Tsang-hei
Ms Icy Lai Yin-ting
Ms Stella Lau Yin-ling
Professor Johnny Poon Ming-lun
Mr Seto Yok
Mr Hanjin Tan
Mr Tsang Man-tung
Mr Desmond Yip Koon-shing
Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung (Ex-officio Member, Chairperson of Committee on Venue Partnership)

Terms of Reference

     To advise the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services on the strategies on performing arts programmes: 
 

• The consideration of long-term programme presentation strategies such as:

     – AFSCs' proposals on development strategies in support of budding and small-scale performing arts groups;
     – Proportion of local and visiting programmes; and
     – Venue-based programming and decentralisation of programmes;

• The consideration and endorsement of the LCSD's annual programme strategies/directions, resource allocation and programme plans;
• The review progress of the implementation of the annual programme plans; and
• The interface with the Committee on Venue Partnership.

     The membership lists and terms of reference of the six AFSCs are in the Annex.