The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 0.00am today (July 18), a total of 1 182 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 149 new patients. Among the… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 18) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, July 18, the CHP was investigating 3 182 additional locally acquired cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 1 185 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (520 confirmed cases, 530 asymptomatic cases and 135 cases with pending case status) and 1 997 cases tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 254 additional imported cases were reported, including 217 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (nine confirmed cases, 186 asymptomatic cases and 22 cases with pending case status) and 37 cases tested positive by RATs.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 797 687 and 500 085 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 17), Hong Kong had recorded a total of 19 cases, 1 223 cases and 989 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, 996 and 313 of them are local cases.
In addition, as of 0.00am, July 18, a total of 9 227 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 149 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 9 440 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 346 032, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 217 337, 24 and 232 892 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. read more
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (July 18) visited the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) headquarters and the Wan Chai District Environmental Hygiene Office to inspect facilities managed by the FEHD and learn more about the work of colleagues.
Mr Tse began his visit at the FEHD headquarters by receiving an update from the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Ms Irene Young, and the directorate staff on the department’s work in ensuring food safety and maintaining environmental hygiene, as well as the challenges confronting them. He was also briefed by colleagues of the Pest Control Advisory Section on the department’s pest control work.
Accompanied by Ms Young, Mr Tse then went to the Wan Chai District Environmental Hygiene Office to learn more about environmental hygiene work in the district. In recent years, the FEHD has applied technology to continuously enhance the service of public toilets. Mr Tse visited the refurbished public toilet at Southorn Centre and was briefed on the refurbishment plan for public toilets, the application of smart public toilets and feedback from the public.
Mr Tse said that the Chief Executive announced the establishment of the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force on July 6. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration leads a number of bureaux and departments to enhance the overall environmental hygiene and cityscape in Hong Kong. The FEHD is the focal department to support the work of the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force. The work of the FEHD, such as cleaning services, pest control, public market and hawker management, food safety, and so on, is closely linked with people’s daily lives and members of the public can note its effectiveness immediately. Mr Tse said he hoped that colleagues will uphold their professionalism and efficiency, and keep abreast of the times to better serve the public and meet various challenges.
Mr Tse also visited the Wo Hop Shek Cemetery and the Sandy Ridge Cemetery under the FEHD last week, to learn more about the burial facilities, including crematoria, Gardens of Remembrance and columbaria, so as to have a better grasp of the latest situation of the department’s burial facilities service. On the same day, Mr Tse also visited Man Kam To Food Control Office under the Centre for Food Safety to learn about the surveillance and inspection of food imported from the Mainland.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The Hospital Authority today (July 18) announced information regarding patients who tested positive via admission screening or testing with patients or staff members id… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (July 18) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a residential child care centre in Wan Chai District, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.
The outbreak involves 18 boys and 12 girls aged 6 months to 4 years old. They developed vomiting and diarrhoea since July 13. All of them sought medical attention and 11 required hospitalisation. Seven of them have been discharged after management. All patients are in stable condition.
Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the centre concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The centre has been put under medical surveillance.
Investigations are ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis: