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, stating that any miscellaneous articles left on the footbridge would be cleared and disposed of by the Government. Any person in possession of such articles had to remove them before today (June 8).

     Apart from posting notices, the Government also arranged outreach visits by the Integrated Services Team for Street Sleepers before the operation to further understand the welfare needs of the relevant persons and provide support services as appropriate.

     The Yau Tsim Mong District Office thanked the relevant persons for their co-operation by removing the articles before the operation today. Besides, the relevant department has fenced off the non-passage area starting from today for carrying out cleaning and disinfection work, etc.

     To avoid obstruction and environmental hygiene problems, the Government urges the public again not to place objects or articles at public spaces, and should observe the regulations relating to the prohibition of group gatherings in public places and wearing of mask.

    

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 the patients staying in isolation facilities, 91 patients are in isolation wards, five patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 33 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 26 in total are new patients. Among the hospitalised patients, 12 of them are in critical condition and five are in serious condition, of which four critical patients are receiving intensive care. There were 52 patients who have recovered, including 46 patients who have been discharged. In addition, no confirmed patient passed away in public hospitals yesterday.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 50 652 patients who have recovered so far, including 50 264 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 63 032 patients who have recovered, including 62 644 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 (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.

     â€‹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) involving individuals who had received vaccines within 14 days before they passed away and had potential association with vaccination.
      
     As at 8pm on June 5, around 17.25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered for members of the public. Around 6.71 million people had received at least one dose of vaccine, including 93.5 per cent of the population aged 12 or above. The DH received 7 613 reports of adverse events (0.04 per cent of the total vaccine doses administered). Among the death cases concerning persons who had been vaccinated, including 111 cases (Note 2) with vaccination within 14 days before they passed away (0.0006 per cent of the total vaccine doses administered), none of the death cases was associated with vaccination.
      
     As of today, the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation had concluded that 72 death cases had no causal relationship with vaccination while for one case the causal relationship with vaccination could not be established (Note 3), and preliminarily considered that 11 cases were not associated with vaccination. Twenty-seven cases are still pending further information for assessment. The Expert Committee considered that there is no unusual pattern identified so far, and will continue to closely monitor the relevant situation and collect data for assessment.
      
     According to information from the HA, during the period from May 9 to June 5, the overall ratio of death cases was 45.5 cases for every 100 000 people, whereas the average ratio of death cases for the same period in 2018 to 2020 was 43.4 cases for every 100 000 people. Among these death cases, the ratio of death cases with acute stroke or acute myocardial infarction was 2.2 cases for every 100 000 people, whereas the average ratio of death cases under the same category for the same period in 2018 to 2020 was 2.8 cases for every 100 000 people. Furthermore, the ratio of miscarriage cases was 13.0 cases for every 100 000 people, whereas the average ratio of miscarriage cases for the same period in 2018 to 2020 was 22.0 cases for every 100 000 people. Based on the statistical analysis of the above figures, there is no evidence that vaccination increases the risk of death or miscarriage for recipients. The relevant reference statistics will be uploaded to the thematic website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
      
     The majority of non-death cases of adverse events received so far are relatively minor cases. The relevant details can be found in the "Report on the Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccines in Hong Kong" (www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/do/en/doc/Safety_Monitoring_of_COVID-19_Vaccines_in_Hong_Kong.pdf).
      
     A Government spokesman said, "While the fifth wave of the epidemic has been substantially contained with daily new cases drastically decreased from tens of thousands during the peak in early March to several hundred in recent days, citizens should not overlook the risk of an epidemic rebound following the gradual resumption of social and economic activities. Deaths and severe cases involving children and elderly persons, who are our focus of protection in vaccination, have been recorded in the fifth wave of the epidemic. For elderly persons, the COVID-19 vaccination rate for the elderly aged 80 or above in Hong Kong is only around 68 per cent at present, meaning that around 32 per cent of the elderly in that age group are in a dangerous situation, which is alarming.
      
     "According to preliminary data analysis, out of the cases reported in the fifth wave, over 95 per cent of the fatal cases are elderly people aged 60 or above, with the proportion of death and hospitalised cases being the highest in those aged 80 or above. Most of the deceased cases are unvaccinated persons. As compared to the Hong Kong overall population, those who have received three doses of vaccine account for a much lower proportion among reported cases, and an extremely low proportion among the hospitalised critical/serious and deceased cases. This demonstrates the effectiveness of three doses of vaccine in preventing infection, serious illness and fatality from COVID-19. Even with just the first dose of vaccine, the risk of death can be significantly reduced. The latest research data from the University of Hong Kong also shows that receiving three doses of either the Comirnaty or CoronaVac vaccine is highly effective for preventing severe cases and deaths with over 90 per cent effectiveness. Members of the public who are currently eligible for a third dose should get the third dose as soon as possible.
      
     "Furthermore, in response to the latest advice from experts, we have started the administration of the fourth vaccine dose for persons aged 60 or above who have received three doses of the Comirnaty or CoronaVac vaccine. They may receive the fourth dose no less than three months after their last dose. For persons aged 18 to 59 with a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure, or a greater risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their occupational setting, they may choose to receive a fourth dose no less than six months from their third dose. Members of the public may also receive a fourth dose due to personal needs (such as studying abroad or travelling). On the other hand, the minimum age for receiving the CoronaVac vaccine has been lowered to 3 years old, while the minimum age for receiving the Comirnaty vaccine is 5 years old. We call on parents to arrange vaccination for their children as early as possible for better protection."
 
Note 1: Provisional figures. In the preceding week till 11.59pm on June 5, the DH received two reports of suspected myocarditis or pericarditis involving adolescents in the age group of 3 to 15. The cases involved a female aged 12 and a male aged 13 respectively. They experienced chest pains within two days after receiving the Comirnaty vaccine. Their conditions are stable.

Note 2: In the preceding week till 11.59pm on June 5, the DH received three death reports involving individuals who had received COVID-19 vaccination within 14 days before passing away. The cases involved a female aged 95 and two males aged 77 and 72 respectively. There is no clinical evidence that the incidents arose from vaccination.
 
Note 3: The case involved a 74-year-old male. The cause of death as shown by the autopsy appears to be anaphylaxis and ischaemic heart disease. At the meeting in June, the Expert Committee reviewed the relevant information of the case and considered that a causal relationship between the death and vaccination could not be established.

     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.