The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, accompanied by the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Ms Rebecca Pun, visited the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM) at the Hong Kong Science Park today (July 19) to learn more about the work focus and development of the two research and development (R&D) centres.
      
     Professor Sun first visited ASTRI and was briefed by the Chairman, Mr Sunny Lee, and the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Denis Yip, on the work and R&D technologies of ASTRI, with demonstrations including the Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X), fintech, semiconductors, Internet of Things, Energy-efficient Direct Power Distribution System, and the Key Technology and Complete Set of Processes for High Density and High Reliability Electronic Packaging that won the first prize of the 2020 State Scientific and Technological Progress Award. The digital twin technology and the "Augmented Reality (AR) Display Solutions" technology which will spearhead the development of the "metaverse" that has become popular in recent years were also introduced.

     Professor Sun also exchanged views with young R&D talents and over 50 summer interns from local, mainland and overseas universities working in the ASTRI. He encouraged young people to further develop their innovation & technology (I&T) careers in Hong Kong and hoped that the ASTRI would strengthen its co-operation with local universities on commercialisation, with a view to driving development of industries and enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness.
      
     Professor Sun then visited the LSCM and received a briefing from the Chairman, Dr Alan Lam, and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Simon Wong, on its major R&D areas and focus. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the LSCM has developed more than 10 systems for government health authorities in support of various anti-epidemic measures, including the "StayHomeSafe" electronic wristbands and the monitoring system for home quarantine, logistics technologies deployed in the Community Testing Programme, different systems which supported the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme; and the Isolation Facilities Service Logging System that helped increase the facilities' operation efficiency, over the past two years. The LSCM team also gave an introduction on various R&D projects developed for various government departments, such as the Seat Occupancy and Seat Belt Fastening Detection System for Minibus and the Landslide Detection and Alerting System.
      
     Professor Sun acknowledged the role of both R&D centres in creating a vibrant I&T ecosystem, and acting as a focal point for technology collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors. He said he hoped that both centres, in addition to conducting applied R&D in key areas, would also work closely with the industry, with a view to encouraging local private enterprises to invest in R&D and striving to commercialise R&D outcomes. He also expressed confidence in young R&D talents' creativity and hoped that they can drive the new economy and help improve people's lives with I&T. Professor Sun said he highly appreciated the LSCM's tireless efforts in developing anti-epidemic products and systems to help Hong Kong cope with the epidemic during the COVID-19 outbreak and expressed his gratitude to all of the unsung heroes of the LSCM for their contributions.

        

     In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Tuen Mun and North Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (July 19) that the Tuen Mun District Office (TMDO) and the North District Office (NDO) have distributed a total of about 412 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The TMDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Tuen Mun Town Plaza, New Town Mansion, Trend Plaza, Waldorf Garden, Kam Wah Garden, Hong Kong Gold Coast, Marina Villas of Hong Kong Gold Coast, Siu On Court, Aegean Coast, Seaview Garden, Bayview Terrace, Tsing Yung Terrace, Tuen Mun Court, Hanford Garden, Crown by the Sea, Verdant Villa, Palm Cove, Faraday House, Elegant Villa, Castle Peak Bay Garden, Dragon Villa, Lepont, Avignon, Avignon Arles Street, Avignon Benezet Street and the Bloomsway for voluntary testing through the property management companies.

     In addition, the NDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Royal Green, 8 Royal Green, Glorious Peak, King Shing Court, Ka Shing Court, Dawning Views, Avon Park, Cheung Wah Estate and Tin Ping Estate for voluntary testing through the property management companies. The NDO also distributed rapid test kits to households living in Ng Uk Tsuen and Ping Kong (including Ping Kong Village) for voluntary testing through the Village Representatives.

     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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for North District Hospital (NDH) made the following announcement today (July 19):
 
     An 89-year-old male patient in a surgical ward of NDH was infected with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on July 15.
 
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing investigation. Three more male patients (aged 62 to 86) were found to be VRE carriers and asymptomatic. All patients are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:

1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.

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

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (July 19), a total of 1 190 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 152 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 373 patients are in isolation wards, 24 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 386 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 120 in total are new patients. There are four newly reported critical patients and six newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 20 patients in critical condition and 41 are in serious condition, of which seven critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 141 patients who have recovered, including 121 patients who have been discharged. In addition, four patients who passed away in public hospital were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 53 804 patients who have recovered so far, including 53 547 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 66 184 patients who have recovered, including 65 927 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 19) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, July 19, the CHP was investigating 3 019 additional locally acquired cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 1 217 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (524 confirmed cases, 608 asymptomatic cases and 85 cases with pending case status) and 1 802 cases tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.
     
     Separately, 237 additional imported cases were reported, including 224 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (21 confirmed cases, 180 asymptomatic cases and 23 cases with pending case status) and 13 cases tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 799 128 and 501 900 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 18), Hong Kong had recorded a total of 19 cases, 1 321 cases and 1 055 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, 1 093 and 372 of them are local cases.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, July 19, a total of 9 231 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 153 and 75 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 9 444 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 346 577, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 218 069, 24 and 233 017 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.