Children aged from six months to three years may receive the Sinovac CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine starting from Thursday (August 4). In addition, persons aged from 50 to 59 who have received three doses of the Sinovac or BioNTech vaccine may also receive the fourth vaccine dose at least three months after their last dose, starting from August 4.
 
     Starting from 9am on Thursday, parents or guardians can make appointments for their young children to receive the Sinovac vaccine at Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) or designated general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority through the online booking system and accompany them to receive the vaccine in person. Parents can also opt for making reservation for free Sinovac vaccination through more than 1 000 private doctors or clinics that participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
 
     The online booking system will also be updated at the same time from 9am on Thursday for eligible persons aged from 50 to 59 to make appointments for receiving the fourth dose of the Sinovac or BioNTech vaccine.
 
     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, “There are deaths and severe cases involving children in the fifth wave of the epidemic. The recent death of a young child infected with COVID-19 deserves the attention of every parent on the health risk to children brought about by the COVID-19 virus and that receiving vaccination can minimise the risks of falling seriously ill, death or severe after-effects should they get infected. Parents are advised to arrange vaccination for their young children as early as possible. Members of the public should also act fast to arrange for their elderly parents to receive suitable number of vaccine doses on time.”
 
    The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, joined by the Chief Executive's expert advisory panel, convened a meeting yesterday (August 1) and updated the consensus interim recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines, which have been accepted and approved by the Health Bureau.
 
Things to note for vaccination
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     Parents are required to present the original copy of their children’s birth certificate and bring along a consent form signed by the parents on the date of vaccination of the children. The consent form can be downloaded from the designated website of the Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/Consent_Form_for_COVID19_Vaccination_ENG.pdf). The children must be accompanied by their parents/guardians in person when receiving vaccination.
      
     The updated consensus interim recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines by the scientific committees under the CHP are available in the following press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202208/01/P2022080100675.htm
 
     The minimum age for receiving the Sinovac vaccine has been lowered to children aged six months. The minimum age for receiving the BioNTech vaccine remains at the age of five.
 
CVCs providing the Sinovac vaccine for persons aged six months old or above
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Java Road Sports Centre in North Point
Kwun Chung Sports Centre in Jordan
Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre in Sha Tin
Millennium City 5 in Kwun Tong
Hong Kong Spinners Industrial Building in Cheung Sha Wan

Vaccination centres providing the BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 (no same-day tickets)
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Children Community Vaccination Centre (CCVC) at Hong Kong Children's Hospital in Kowloon Bay
HKU CCVC at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong in Wong Chuk Hang (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting from August 9)
CUHK Medical Centre in Sha Tin
Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Chung

CVCs providing the BioNTech vaccine for persons aged 12 or above
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Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre in Sai Ying Pun
Satellite Community Vaccination Centre, Leighton Centre in Causeway Bay (no same-day tickets)
Sai Wan Ho Sports Centre
Boundary Street Sports Centre in Mong Kok
Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre in Kwun Tong
Lai Chi Kok Park Sports Centre
Yuen Long Sports Centre
Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Chung
MTR Tsing Yi Station
CUHK Medical Centre in Sha Tin (no same-day tickets)
HKU Community Vaccination Centre at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays starting from August 8; no same-day tickets)
Pop-up CVC at 17th floor of Landmark North in Sheung Shui
 
     The designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme) provides the latest information including details on vaccination venues, reservation and enquiry hotlines.

     Upon the enactment of the relevant ordinances in respect of water charges and tenancy controls on subdivided units (SDUs), there are still cases of overcharging for water and electricity by SDU landlords as reflected by some tenants and organisations. In view of this, the Government will step up actions and adopt an inter-departmental and multi-pronged approach to combat such illegal acts.
      
     A spokesman from the Government said today (August 2) that the Housing Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) and the Water Supplies Department (WSD) have formulated a joint operation plan to combat illegal acts of overcharging for water and electricity contravening the Waterworks (Waterworks Regulations) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (hereinafter referred to as Waterworks Amendment Ordinance) and Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (hereinafter referred to as the Tenancy Control Ordinance) with the following specific measures:
 
1. Strengthening joint inspections 

     The RVD and the WSD will strengthen joint inspections in order to promote the relevant sections in the ordinances and to understand whether tenants have been overcharged for water and electricity. If there are suspected offence cases, follow-up investigations will be conducted.
 
2. Enhancing the efficiency of prosecution
 
     The RVD and the WSD will take joint operations for complaint cases and conduct inspections proactively to gain advantages of synergy as well as strengthen the exercise of statutory powers for obtaining relevant information from the landlords in respect of their payments/collections of reimbursements for water and electricity charges.
 
3. Improving the application procedures for the installation of separate water meters
 
     Apart from the landlords who can submit applications using streamlined procedures under the pilot scheme for the installation of separate water meters in the subdivided units, the SDU tenants can also make such requests directly to the WSD and the department will take the initiative to approach the landlords for follow-up actions and provide appropriate technical support with a view to facilitating the installation of separate water meters for the SDU tenants as soon as possible. If the landlord refuses to submit an application for separate water meters on a tenant's request, the WSD will closely monitor the water charges collected by the landlord from the relevant unit, and carry out a follow-up investigation of any suspected cases.
 
4. Strengthening publicity and education
 
     The RVD and the WSD will launch a new round of promotion and publicity work through various channels (including TV, radio and department websites) and different means (including videos, audio clips and leaflets) etc to strengthen the publicity of the Tenancy Control Ordinance and the Waterworks Amendment Ordinance.
 
     The spokesman emphasised, "We believe that the above stepped-up measures and collaborative efforts of various departments and non-government organisations will enhance the effectiveness of enforcing the relevant ordinances to provide protection for the relevant SDU tenants."
      
     According to the amended Tenancy Control Ordinance, when the landlord requests the tenant to pay for the reimbursement of charges for any specified utilities and services (including water and electricity charges) as a separate payment from the rent, the landlords must produce for the tenant copies of the relevant bills, and provide an account in writing showing how the amounts are apportioned, and that the aggregate of the apportioned amounts does not exceed the billed amounts. It is an offence if the landlord fails to discharge such responsibilities. 
      
     In addition, according to the Waterworks Regulations, it is an offence if a landlord charges the SDU tenants more than the water charges paid to the WSD for the use of water. In handling cases of overcharging for water, the WSD can request the landlords to provide relevant payment records, in accordance with the authority empowered under the Waterworks Ordinance, for follow-up investigation when necessary.
      
     The RVD and the WSD will conduct follow-up investigations and take enforcement actions against those landlords who are suspected of overcharging for water and electricity in accordance with relevant ordinances and records of evidence.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     Members of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) and its Commercial Properties Committee visited the HA's non-domestic facilities today (August 2).

     The group first visited some domestic flats converted from non-domestic facilities at Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong, each with a size ranging from about 31 to 37 square metres. Members were pleased to note that the efforts made by staff of the Housing Department (HD) to explore different options to overcome technical difficulties during the conversion process. The estate is a Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) estate in which an owners' corporation (OC) has been formed and manages the common areas and facilities of the estate. Therefore, liaison with the OC was required to re-arrange communal drainage pipes and electrical installations with a view to providing necessary building services and other facilities for the converted flats.
 
     "The HD was thankful to the OC for its co-operation in the completion of the conversion works. The completed domestic flats will be allocated to eligible public rental housing applicants. The HD will continue to study the feasibility of converting suitable spaces in public housing blocks into domestic or other uses for the best use of resources," a spokesman for the HD said.
 
     Members then went to another TPS estate, Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin, to see its market. The HD earlier carried out a series of improvement works to the market, which has been operating since 1982, with a view to keeping pace with the general market and enhancing the business and shopping environment. The improvement works included the installation of an air-conditioning system, re-ordering the market layout as well as the upgrading and renovation of various facilities. The improvement works were completed in phases since May this year, providing 49 shopstalls. Apart from existing stall tenants and the trade mix, other trades, including cooked food stalls providing dine-in and takeaway services, were introduced to attract patronage and enhance the competitiveness of the market. After the improvement works, the outlook of the market has been uplifted, with more variety of trades and a more comfortable shopping environment.
 
     "During the course of the works, staff of the HD communicated closely with market stall tenants, the Pok Hong Estate OC and other stakeholders to explore various options to resolve the challenges, including identifying suitable locations to provide temporary stalls which would enable stall tenants to continue operation when the improvement works were in progress, as well as implementing stringent site management measures to reduce the impact on residents and tenants caused by the works," the spokesman said.
 
     Finally, members visited Hoi Tat Estate in Sham Shui Po. They were briefed on the modern design, layout and trade mix of the commercial facilities. A total of nine shops and a single-operator market are provided in the estate with a total retail area of about 4 300 sq m. Trades operating at the shops include a Chinese restaurant, a supermarket, a fast food shop, a convenience store, a bakery, an education and cultural centre and a laundry, etc. The single-operator market has a total of 90 shopstalls offering dry and wet trades as well as cooked food. The shops and market have commenced business gradually from 2021, providing daily necessities for residents.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     As at 0.00am today (August 2), a total of 1 536 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 171 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 474 patients are in isolation wards, 91 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 452 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 137 in total are new patients. There are three newly reported critical patients and five newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 16 patients in critical condition and 28 are in serious condition, of which six critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 150 patients who have recovered, including 133 patients who have been discharged. In addition, 11 patients who passed away in public hospital were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 55 875 patients who have recovered so far, including 55 622 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 68 255 patients who have recovered, including 68 002 patients who have been discharged.
 
     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 Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 2) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, August 2, the CHP was investigating 3 889 additional locally acquired cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 1 430 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (592 confirmed cases, 613 asymptomatic cases and 225 cases with pending case status) and 2 459 cases tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 234 additional imported cases were reported, including 219 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (18 confirmed cases, 154 asymptomatic cases and 47 cases with pending case status) and 15 cases tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 823 801 and 538 570 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 1), 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 5.7 per cent and 4.8 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 2, a total of 9 307 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 227 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 9 520 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 356 622, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 230 832, 31 and 234 667 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.