The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (August 5) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of August 29, 2022 up to October 30, 2022. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
      
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to July 31, 2022, the two Coin Carts had carried out 969 000 transactions, collecting 779 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,193 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
      
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
      
     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
      
     The HKMA will review the Programme from time and time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.

     The Government announced today (August 5) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 180 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Yau Tsim Mong District – Residential premises around Li Tak Street and Ka Shin Street (See Annex)
• Sha Tin District – Yan On Estate, Kam Ying Court, The Met. Blossom, Park Belvedere, Fu Fai Garden, Villa Oceania, Bayshore Towers, The Tolo Place, Fok On Garden and Ma On Shan Centre
• Wong Tai Sin District – Choi Wan (I) Estate and Choi Wan (II) Estate

 
     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
 
     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose of them properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
 
     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier cases, the spokesperson for North District Hospital gave the following update today (August 5):

     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Two more male patients in the orthopaedics and traumatology ward aged 75 and 61 were confirmed as VRE carriers. The patients concerned did not have clinical symptoms and are now being treated under isolation in stable condition.

     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 
     1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
     2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
     3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward and the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Police are investigating a pending manslaughter case in Hung Hom yesterday afternoon (August 4) in which an 81-year-old woman died.

     At 5.12pm yesterday, Police received a report from a 51-year-old man that his mother collapsed in a unit on Ko Shan Road. Police officers sped to the scene. The woman was rushed to Kwong Wah Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 6.01pm.

     Initial investigation revealed that the central venous catheter inserting into the deceased was suspected to be damaged by someone. The case was classified as pending manslaughter. The deceased’s 86-year-old husband who was in suspected connection with the case was arrested in Hung Hom today (August 5) and is now being detained for further enquiries.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death.

     Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Kowloon City District is underway.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 5) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay, see Note 2).     
  
     Seventeen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 21 as Fair (Grade 2) and one as Poor (Grade 3).
  
Grade 1 beaches are:         

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

   
Grade 3 beach is:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Approach Beach, Casam Beach, Hoi Mei Wan Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Lido Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach and Ting Kau Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Deep Water Bay Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
 
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
 
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
 
Note 1: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that lifeguard services at 21 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk above, will be provided from August 6.
 
Note 2: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.