The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (July 25), a total of 1 409 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 183 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 460 patients are in isolation wards, 40 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 432 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 150 in total are new patients. There are five newly reported critical patients and two newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 30 patients in critical condition and 21 are in serious condition, of which two critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 117 patients who have recovered, including 110 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 54 618 patients who have recovered so far, including 54 368 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 66 998 patients who have recovered, including 66 748 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 25) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, July 25, the CHP was investigating 3 906 additional locally acquired cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 1 449 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (618 confirmed cases, 719 asymptomatic cases and 112 cases with pending case status) and 2 457 cases tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 224 additional imported cases were reported, including 193 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (17 confirmed cases, 168 asymptomatic cases and eight cases with pending case status) and 31 cases tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 809 214 and 516 909 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 24), Hong Kong had recorded a total of 19 cases, 1 956 cases and 1 815 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, 1 717 and 717 of them are local cases.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, July 25, a total of 9 259 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 180 and 76 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 9 472 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 350 556, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 223 192, 24 and 233 800 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.

     In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in North and Southern Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (July 25) that the North District Office (NDO) and the Southern District Office (SDO) have distributed a total of about 268 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The NDO commenced distributing rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Woodland Crest, Sheung Shui Centre, Sheung Shui Town Centre, Metropolis Plaza, Sunningdale Garden, Lung Fung Garden, Fanling Town Centre, Fanling Centre, Regentville, Grand Regentville, Wing Fok Centre, Wing Fai Centre and Union Plaza through the property management companies.
      
     The SDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Baguio Villa, Residence Bel-Air, South Tower Residence Bel-Air, Bel-Air Rise, Bel-Air On The Peak, Villa Bel-Air, Bel-Air No. 8, Jadewater, Abba House, Aberdeen Centre, Pokfulam Gardens, Pok Fu Lam Village and residential premises around Sai On Street and Tsung Man Street 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.

    

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 25) called on the public not to consume a batch of loose boletes as the product is suspected to contain a mixture of species including inedible species.

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS is following up on a food poisoning case suspected to have been caused by consuming mushrooms, which was referred earlier by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, and collected samples from the restaurant concerned in Wong Tai Sin for testing during its investigation. According to the assessment by a mycologist on the samples, the boletes concerned contained inedible species of mushrooms."

     The spokesman continued, "A preliminary investigation showed that the affected product was solely distributed to a supplier after import, and was sold as a loose item. The CFS has instructed the supplier to stop sales, remove from shelves the affected product, and initiate a recall on all boletes sold after May 31 this year. For enquiries on the concerned product, members of the public may call the supplier's hotline at 2546 9889 during office hours."

     The CFS urged members of the public who have purchased and still possess the affected product to stop consuming it, and to seek medical advice immediately if symptoms develop after consuming the product.

     Mushroom poisoning is generally acute and manifested by a variety of symptoms, depending on the species and amount consumed. The incubation period is usually short. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are the commonest symptoms. Sometimes distinguishing features such as extreme thirst, profuse sweating, hallucination, coma and other neurological symptoms may occur.

     Consumers are advised to heed the following points when buying, handling and eating mushrooms:

* Do not buy mushroom products which may contain a mix of unknown species;
* Do not buy mushrooms which look unhygienic (with growing substrates left with the product) or show signs of spoilage (with coloured spots/abnormal smell/slime, etc);
* Wash and cook mushrooms thoroughly before consumption;
* Mushrooms should be kept in the refrigerator if overnight soaking is needed; and
* Seek medical treatment immediately if mushroom poisoning is suspected.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take necessary action to safeguard food safety and public health. An investigation is ongoing.

     Police today (July 25) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.

     Lee Yu, aged 64, went missing after he left his residence in Choi Fai Estate on July 23 afternoon. His family made a report to Police yesterday (July 24).
         
     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 70 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and is bald. He was last seen wearing a short sleeve T-shirt with black and white stripes, light-coloured shorts and white sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0335 or 9886 0060 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.