As the accumulation of miscellaneous articles on the Mong Kok Road footbridge recently affected public hygiene, the Yau Tsim Mong District Office had posted notices on the footbridge several times since June 2, statin… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 0.00am today (June 8), a total of 370 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 52 new patients. Among th… read more
​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 8) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, June 8, the CHP was investigating 257 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (81 confirmed cases, 129 asymptomatic cases and 47 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 301 positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) were verified (including RAT positive cases reported in the past few days). Hong Kong has recorded a total of 763 719 and 452 509 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of 61 imported cases (41 cases and 20 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively). 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 whole genome sequencing analysis by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, as of yesterday (June 7), Hong Kong has recorded a total of 19 cases, 162 cases, 23 cases and 36 cases carrying the sub-lineages BA.2.12, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 under the Omicron mutant strain respectively.
In addition, as of 0.00am, June 8, a total of 9 176 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded (i.e. no new reported cases), with 9 098 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 9 389 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 332 886, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 200 273, 24 and 230 279 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
​In the preceding week till 11.59pm on June 5, the Department of Health (DH) received 50 reports (Note 1) of adverse events following COVID-19 immunisation. No death case was reported by the Hospital Authority (HA) invol… read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (June 8) that it is proactively following up on a food poisoning outbreak involving tuna fillet, including inspecting the restaurant concerned. A sample of tuna fillet collected from the restaurant was found to contain a toxic metabolite, histamine. The CFS is following up on the case.
A spokesman for the CFS said, “Upon notification by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health of food poisoning cases involving tuna fillet, the CFS immediately sent staff to the restaurant concerned in Tsim Sha Tsui to conduct investigation and take samples for testing. The test results showed that a tuna fillet sample contained histamine at a level of 2 600 milligrams per kilogram, which can cause food-borne intoxication. The restaurant concerned has already stopped sale and discarded the affected product according to the CFS’s advice. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff concerned, and instructed them to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection, as well as to implement improvement measures to ensure food safety.”
According to section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food for sale in Hong Kong, whether locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
“Histamine is a toxic metabolite commonly found in certain kinds of fish such as tuna, sardine, mackerel and anchovy, as a result of bacterial spoilage. Consumption of fish containing high levels of histamine can cause food-borne intoxication. Symptoms of histamine poisoning include a tingling and burning sensation around the mouth, facial flushing and sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, palpitations, dizziness and rash. The onset of intoxication symptoms is within a few hours after consumption and these symptoms will normally disappear in 12 hours without long-term effects,” the spokesman said.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more