Cluster of Human Metapneumovirus in North District Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     The spokesperson for North District Hospital made the following announcement today (July 2):
 
     Four patients (aged 62 to 75) in a male medical ward have presented with respiratory symptoms since June 20. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients, and their test results were positive for Human Metapneumovirus. One of the patients had passed away due to his underlying medical conditions. The remaining three patients are being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.
 
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. Droplet and contact precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of the environment and equipment have also been strengthened.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the conditions of the patients in the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.




HAD opens temporary heat shelters

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 2).
 
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
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Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
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Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
 
     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.




Exchange Fund Bills tender results

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

Tender date : July 2, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q2427
Issue date : July 3, 2024
Maturity date : October 2, 2024
Amount applied : HK$167,890 MN
Amount allotted : HK$64,629 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.42 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 4.48 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 31 PCT
Average tender yield : 4.54 PCT
****************************
Tender date : July 2, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H2456
Issue date : July 3, 2024
Maturity date : January 2, 2025
Amount applied : HK$55,420 MN
Amount allotted : HK$20,400 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.35 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 4.41 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 33 PCT
Average tender yield : 4.52 PCT
****************************
Tender date : July 2, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Y2491
Issue date : July 3, 2024
Maturity date : July 2, 2025
Amount applied : HK$14,815 MN
Amount allotted : HK$5,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.26 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 4.29 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 66 PCT
Average tender yield : 4.38 PCT

 
*"Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant's tendered amount at the "highest yield accepted" level.
 
———————————————————

     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning July 8, 2024:
 

Tender date : July 9, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q2428
Issue date : July 10, 2024
Maturity date : October 9, 2024
Tenor : 91 Days
Amount on offer : HK$65,312 MN
****************************
Tender date : July 9, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H2457
Issue date : July 10, 2024
Maturity date : January 8, 2025
Tenor : 182 Days
Amount on offer : HK$19,000 MN



Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Australia and US suspended

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 2) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza in Canberra of the Australian Capital Territory in Australia, and outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Sac County of the State of Iowa and Pipestone County of the State of Minnesota in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 130 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 4.06 million poultry eggs from Australia, and about 16 480 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 7.73 million poultry eggs from the US in the first three months of this year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Australian and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.




Fraudulent social media account and phishing instant messages related to Royal Bank of Canada

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Royal Bank of Canada relating to a fraudulent social media account and phishing instant messages, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the social media account or instant messages concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.