Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (July 31) will be cancelled.

     â€‹The Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publishes in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at 65 specified places during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
     
     In view of a number of cases testing positive, 58 specified places are included in the compulsory testing notice. Furthermore, since some sewage samples collected in Yau Tong, Tuen Mun and Fanling have tested positive, seven specified premises are included in the compulsory testing notice. The Government strongly reminds members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo testing on time as required. Mobile specimen collection stations have been set up by the Government in different districts to facilitate testing to be conducted in compliance with the compulsory testing notice. The above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

     Persons who have tested positive in the past three months (including positive cases tested either by nucleic acid tests recorded by the Department of Health (DH) or by rapid antigen tests (RATs) that have been self-declared to the DH) do not need to undergo compulsory testing. For those who are subject to compulsory testing (save for those who have declared their positive RAT results as mentioned above), they must undergo nucleic acid tests in accordance with relevant compulsory testing notices and cannot use RATs to fulfil the requirement of such notices. In other words, a negative RAT result cannot be deemed as fulfilling the compulsory testing requirement. Furthermore, unless a person subject to compulsory testing has obtained a medical certificate proving that he or she is unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons, the person cannot provide a deep throat saliva sample to fulfil the compulsory testing requirement.

     Details of the compulsory testing notice are available on the Centre for Health Protection (CHP)'s website via the following link: www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ctn_20220730.pdf.

     If any persons test positive under compulsory testing, such positive cases will be handled in the same manner as in those identified through other nucleic acid tests or self-declared through RATs. Their isolation arrangements (as well as the quarantine arrangements of their household members) are no different from other positive cases.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing in accordance with a compulsory testing notice must go to any of the mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres (CTCs) or recognised local medical testing institutions to undergo professional swab sampling in fulfilling the requirements for compulsory testing. Young children may continue to undergo the test using a stool specimen. For details on obtaining stool specimen bottles, please refer to the COVID-19 thematic website: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/Stool_bottle_collection_points.pdf.

     If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above, the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or the post-super typhoon "extreme conditions" announcement by the Government is in force at any time during the period for undergoing the compulsory testing, the period for undergoing the compulsory testing will be extended for one day.

     The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19. They can provide protection to those vaccinated to prevent serious complications and even death after infection. The Government appeals to persons who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated without delay. The Government is working towards the goal of boosting the vaccination rates of children, teenagers and the elderly so that they can be protected by the vaccines as early as possible. Furthermore, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the CHP of the DH has earlier updated the consensus interim recommendations, and persons aged 60 or above who have taken three doses of vaccine are recommended to receive an additional dose (i.e. fourth dose) of either Comirnaty vaccine or CoronaVac vaccine at least three months after their last dose. Members of the public who are eligible should get the fourth dose as early as possible for better protection.

     CTCs provide testing services for the public. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system shows the booking status of the centres for the coming two weeks to facilitate the public's planning and selection of a suitable testing centre and a time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. As of 6pm today (July 30), there was around 97 per cent availability for booking places for the coming two weeks. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
 
    The Government will reopen mobile specimen collection stations at Wah Fu (I) Estate in Pok Fu Lam, Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin, Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan and Hung Fuk Estate in Hung Shui Kiu tomorrow (July 31). Separately, ticketing machines have been installed in a number of service points for on-site ticket arrangement. Members of the public who have obtained a ticket can visit the CTC website (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en) to check the real-time queueing ticket status. Booking service is also provided for some large-scale mobile specimen collection stations, and members of the public may use the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en) to reserve a suitable time slot for testing.
 
     Other than persons subject to compulsory testing, all members of the public may conduct free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable). The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations are stated in the Annex.
 
     Outdoor mobile specimen collection stations will be closed if the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 or Red Rainstorm Warning Signal has been issued, while all mobile specimen collection stations together with all CTCs will be closed when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force. Any changes in the arrangements of testing service will be announced on site, and members of the public may also pay attention to the relevant press releases.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:

(a) For tests which require using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs
1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the CTCs (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf), and the relevant sample must be taken through combined nasal and throat swabs; or
4. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the stool sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

(b) For persons holding a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner proving that they are unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons
1. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from post offices, vending machines set up at MTR stations or designated general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
2. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority; or
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results.

     A Government spokesman cautioned that testing received at the Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     "If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the CTCs."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test and the relevant medical certificate (if applicable) for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. The fixed penalty for discharging the liability is $10,000. The person may also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Any person in breach of the compulsory testing order would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The spokesman said, "The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons."

     â€‹In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) presented a dance performance, "Convergence: A Dialogue in Dance between Hong Kong and Singapore", at the National Museum of Singapore today (July 30).

     Featuring Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) and Singapore's Maya Dance Theatre (MDT), the event adopted a hybrid format, combining the display of a collaborative dance film, a virtual live dialogue session with representatives of Hong Kong Dance Company, as well as an in-person performance by MDT, which was well-received by an audience of more than 200.

     The collaborative dance film was the result of a two-month co-creation process between HKDC and MDT that took place online in a series of workshops, practices and reflections, as MDT learned elements of Chinese martial arts from HKDC and re-interpreted them in Indian classical dance known as Bharatanatyam.

     The idea of the event originated from HKDC's online dance production "Convergence" in 2020 that blended Chinese martial arts with Chinese dance, after dancers had learned three styles of Chinese martial arts, namely Hung Kuen, Choy Lay Fut and Fujian White Crane during a three-year immersive study. Inspired by the success of the dance production, HKDC debuted the piece overseas to observe the synergy when a foreign dance group absorbed elements of Chinese martial arts in its own particular dance genre.

     â€‹Speaking at the opening of the event, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Wong Chun To, said the name "Convergence" embodies the ethos and cultural identity of Hong Kong people, a spirit accommodating various cultures while constantly seeking to innovate and absorb new ideas. "This echoes Hong Kong's role under the National 14th Five-Year Plan as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange," he added.

     He highlighted that Hong Kong has been holding an array of art festivals celebrating different cultures, including French May Arts Festival and New Vision Arts Festival. The city also welcomes artists worldwide to join major art fairs such as Art Basel in Hong Kong, Art Central and Ink Asia. In addition, global thought leaders and industry experts share their insights on design thinking in annual events such as Business of Design Week and Knowledge of Design Week.

     On the arts technology front, he shared that the East Kowloon Cultural Centre would become a major venue and incubator of arts technology in phases in 2023. Moreover, overseas arts technology professionals are recognised as needed talents, and will gain bonus points in applications under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.

     The Singapore ETO will continue to organise a series of events in the coming months to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (July 30), a total of 1 456 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 187 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 440 patients are in isolation wards, 64 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 448 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 148 in total are new patients. There are three newly reported critical patients and six newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 17 patients in critical condition and 22 are in serious condition, of which nine critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 139 patients who have recovered, including 132 patients who have been discharged. In addition, three patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.

     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 55 446 patients who have recovered so far, including 55 193 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 67 826 patients who have recovered, including 67 573 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 (July 30) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, July 30, the CHP was investigating 4 490 additional locally acquired cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 1 557 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (640 confirmed cases, 676 asymptomatic cases and 241 cases with pending case status) and 2 933 cases tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 193 additional imported cases were reported, including 169 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (21 confirmed cases, 114 asymptomatic cases and 34 cases with pending case status) and 24 cases tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 818 703 and 530 657 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.

     Meanwhile, according to the analysis by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, as of yesterday (July 29), Hong Kong had recorded a total of 19 cases, 2 873 cases and 3 378 cases carrying the sub-lineages BA.2.12, BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 under the Omicron mutant strain respectively (including suspected cases), among which zero, 2 616 and 1 439 of them are local cases.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, July 30, a total of 9 289 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 209 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 9 502 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 354 509, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 228 229, 31 and 234 208 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 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.