Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Wong Tai Sin happened yesterday (July 18) in which a 48-year-old man died.
           
     At 5.47pm yesterday, a private car driven by the 48-year-old man was travelling along Tate’s Cairn Tunnel towards Sha Tin. During the period, the private car reportedly lost control and rammed into another private car ahead driven by a 28-year-old man.
           
     The 48-year-old man was trapped inside the vehicle and was rescued by firemen. Sustaining no apparent injuries, he was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 6.45pm.

     The 28-year-old driver of another private car sustained neck and waist injuries and was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in conscious state.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon East is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 0277.

     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 81 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, 76 specified places are included in the compulsory testing notice. Furthermore, since some sewage samples collected in Ngau Chi Wan, Aberdeen, Ho Man Tin, Kwai Chung and Tseung Kwan O have tested positive, five 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_20220718.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 18), there was around 96 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 the mobile specimen collection station at Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin tomorrow (July 19). 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."

     President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Southern District Office (SDO), the Eastern District Office (EDO), the Sha Tin District Office (STDO) and the Sai Kung District Office (SKDO) each held sessions in recent days on the topic "Spirit of the President's Important Speech" by inviting different keynote speakers to talk and exchange thoughts on the spirit of the President's important speech.
     
     The SDO, the Hong Kong Southern District Community Association and the Southern District Constructive Power today (July 18) jointly held the "Session to Learn About, Promote and Implement the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech" at Wah Kwai Community Hall. The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, was invited to be the keynote speaker. The Deputy Director General of the Hong Kong Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Hui; the District Officer (Southern), Mr Francis Cheng, and Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Mr Chan Hok-fung, Ms Judy Chan and Mr Benson Luk, also spoke at the session. About 200 participants attended the session, including leaders of local organisations, members of the Southern District Fight Crime Committee, the Southern District Fire Safety Committee, the Southern District Area Committees, the Southern District Youth Programme Committee, and the Southern District Joint Schools Conference, representatives of government departments, and staff of the SDO. 
 
     Following the session held on July 13, the EDO and the Hong Kong Eastern District Youth Exchange Promotion Association yesterday (July 17) jointly held the "Celebrations for HKSAR 25th Anniversary cum Session to Learn About, Promote and Implement the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech" in North Point. The District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan, and the Permanent Honorary President of the Hong Kong Eastern District Youth Exchange Promotion Association, Ms Fong Choi-peng, were invited to be the keynote speakers and they exchanged views with the youth participants. Some 40 participants attended the session. In addition, the EDO, together with the Eastern Branch of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), held the "Session to Learn About and Implement the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech" on July 16 in Fortress Hill. Member of LegCo Mr Edward Leung and the District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan, were invited to be keynote speakers and they exchanged views with some 100 district personalities and young people.
 
     Further to the three sessions held earlier on July 8 and 14, the STDO, in collaboration with the Sha Tin Branch of the DAB, yesterday held the "Session to Learn About and Implement the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech for Leaders of Community Volunteers in the Sha Tin District" in Sha Tin. Hong Kong Deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) and Member of LegCo Mr Chan Yung was invited to be the keynote speaker. The Division Chief of the New Territories Sub-office of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Liao Minghua; the District Officer (Sha Tin), Miss Carol Or; and the Chairman of the Sha Tin Branch of the DAB, Mr Chuk Hing-toi, also spoke. About 200 participants attended the session, including district personalities and volunteers in Sha Tin District.
 
     In addition, the SKDO, in collaboration with the New Territories Association of Societies Sai Kung District Committee and the Sai Kung Federation of Associations jointly held the "Session to Learn About, Promote and Implement the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech" at Sheung Tak Community Hall on July 16. The Vice-chairperson of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the NPC, Ms Maria Tam, and Hong Kong Deputy to the NPC and Member of LegCo Mr Chan Yung were invited to be the keynote speakers. The District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr David Chiu, the Division Chief of the New Territories Sub-office of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Liao Minghua, and some community leaders also spoke at the session. About 150 participants attended the session, including members of committees under Sai Kung District, community leaders and locals in Sai Kung District.
 
     Other District Offices will be rolling out sessions, so as to enable more key district figures to obtain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the President's important speech.

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 patients staying in isolation facilities, 375 patients are in isolation wards, 27 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 373 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 124 in total are new patients. There is one newly reported critical patient and 14 newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 17 patients in critical condition and 38 are in serious condition, of which four critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 86 patients who have recovered, including 73 patients who have been discharged. In addition, three patients who passed away in public hospital were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 53 667 patients who have recovered so far, including 53 414 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 66 047 patients who have recovered, including 65 794 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 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.