The Commissioner of the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS), Dr Ronald Lam, today (February 2) visited colleagues on duty at the AMS Headquarters in Ho Man Tin, and extended his New Year greetings to them and thanked them for their anti-epidemic work during the holidays.

     Accompanied by the Chief Staff Officer of the AMS, Mr Wong Ying-keung, Dr Lam was briefed by members of the AMS on their daily work. In the past year, following the volatile development and changes of the epidemic, there has been a surging demand for the AMS services in the community. The AMS flexibly deployed its manpower and resources under different circumstances to provide services to members of the public. For instance, on October 24 last year, apart from deploying manpower to participate in anti-epidemic work and provide routine services, the AMS also deployed nearly 800 members to provide first-aid and nursing care services in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.

     Entering the Year of the Tiger, Hong Kong is affected by the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which brings enormous pressure to the anti-epidemic work. On January 24, the AMS escorted 862 person-time of close contacts in 24 hours, hitting the highest record since the start of the pandemic. On the last day of the Year of the Ox, apart from performing daily anti-epidemic work including escorting close contacts, being on duty at the medical stations in the quarantine centres and assisting in enforcing the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J), the AMS also assisted in evacuation work in three housing estates and an elderly home, deploying around 300 staff members. Furthermore, the AMS has since yesterday (February 1) started providing assistance to medical stations in 10 quarantine centres or hotels. Dr Lam expressed his appreciation to all members and recognised the AMS' work efficiency.

     The situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe. Dr Lam appealed to all staff members to stay vigilant and always maintain personal hygiene. Dr Lam also reminded all to take the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and others.

      

     In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary shelters today (February 2) for people in need of the service.
  
     The temporary shelters will remain open during the daytime tomorrow (February 3) when the Cold Weather Warning is still in force.
 
     To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
 
     Anyone seeking temporary refuge or with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters may call the department's hotline 2572 8427 for more information.
 
     In light of the implementation of mandatory use of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application when entering government premises, all persons are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter temporary cold shelters, except for exempted persons (including persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and persons without smartphones). All exempted persons are required to complete a prescribed form to register their personal particulars, contact phone number and the date and time of entry. The staff will verify the information provided.
 
     The 18 temporary cold 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:
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon:
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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:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, 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:
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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:
North District Community Centre
2 Lung Wan Street, Sheung Shui
 
Sai Kung:
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block
5 Chi Shin Street, 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

     In the preceding week till 11.59pm on January 30, the Department of Health (DH) received 92 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 January 30, around 11.12 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered for members of the public. Around 5.36 million people had received at least one dose of vaccine, accounting for 79.4 per cent of the population aged 12 or above. The DH received 6 885 reports (Note 1) of adverse events (0.06 per cent of the total vaccine doses administered). Among the death cases concerning persons who had been vaccinated, including 63 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 at January 30, the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation had concluded that 38 death cases had no causal relationship with vaccination, and preliminarily considered that 15 cases were not associated with vaccination. Ten 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 January 3 to January 30, the ratio of death cases out of those without a vaccination record was 166.0 cases for every 100 000 people, whereas the ratio of death cases for those with a vaccination record was 10.3 cases for every 100 000 people. The overall death rate is similar to that recorded in the past three years. Out of those without a vaccination record, the ratio of death cases with acute stroke or acute myocardial infarction was 8.2 cases for every 100 000 people, whereas the ratio of death cases under the same category for those with a vaccination record was 0.9 cases for every 100 000 people. Furthermore, the ratio of miscarriage cases out of those without a vaccination record was 40.0 cases for every 100 000 people, whereas the ratio of miscarriage cases for those who had a vaccination record was 11.0 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).
 
      "The COVID-19 vaccination rate for the elderly aged 80 or above in Hong Kong is only around 31 per cent at present, meaning that 69 per cent of the elderly in that age group are in a dangerous situation, which is alarming. The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. The Government has expanded the third dose vaccination programme to include all people who have received two doses of vaccines for a period of time. We call on members of the public who are currently eligible for a third dose to get the dose as soon as possible. As for those not yet vaccinated, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a much higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, they should get vaccinated as early as possible for better self-protection," a Government spokesman said.
 
Note 1: Provisional figures. In the preceding week till 11.59pm on January 30, the DH did not receive any reports of suspected myocarditis or pericarditis involving adolescents aged 12 to 15.
 
Note 2: In the preceding week till 11.59pm on January 30, the DH received two death reports involving individuals who had received COVID-19 vaccination within 14 days before passing away. The cases involved two males aged 63 and 85 respectively. There is no clinical evidence that the incidents arose from vaccination.

     The Government today (February 2) reminds members of the public that 12 Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) will open tomorrow (February 3), the third day of the Lunar New Year, to provide COVID-19 vaccination services to the public. 

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "At the beginning of the Lunar New Year, it is essential for all of us to take concerted efforts to win the battle against the epidemic. Vaccination is a top priority. The current vaccination capacity has already increased to 60 000 doses a day, which is much more than the seven-day moving average of the daily figure of doses administered. We now have a wide variety of vaccination channels with the highest number of vaccination venues available since the launch of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. As such, I appeal to persons who are not yet vaccinated, in particular elderly persons, to seize this opportunity and get vaccinated as soon as possible for self-protection.

     "Under the threat posed by mutant virus strains with high transmissibility, eligible persons, both young and old, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should one get infected. Those who are eligible for the third dose booster should get vaccinated on time to enhance protection."

CVCs providing the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine
—————————————————-
Java Road Sports Centre in North Point
Kwun Chung Sports Centre in Jordan
Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre in Sha Tin
 
CVCs providing the Fosun/BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine
————————————————————-
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre in Sai Ying Pun
Boundary Street Sports Centre in Mong Kok
Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre
Kowloon Bay Sports Centre
Sai Wan Ho Sports Centre
Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre in Kwun Tong
Lai Chi Kok Park Sports Centre
Yuen Long Sports Centre
HKU CVC at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong in Wong Chuk Hang (no same-day tickets and resume service on February 4)
CUHK Medical Centre in Sha Tin (no same-day tickets and resume service on February 4)
Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Chung

     Persons aged 60 or above can get a same-day ticket at CVCs (except those located at private hospitals). 

     Apart from the CVCs, there are other channels for free COVID-19 vaccination as follows:

* 25 general out-patient clinics under the Hospital Authority (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/15/P2022011500269.htm);
 
* 13 Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Stations (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/HA_HCVS_Location_ENG.pdf);
 
* 15 Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health (www.elderly.gov.hk/english/contactus/elderly_health_centres.html);

* Five Student Health Service Centres under the Department of Health which provide Sinovac vaccination services to students of primary and secondary schools
(www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/covid19/covid19_vaccination_in_shsc.html)

* over 1 000 private doctors or clinics which provide Sinovac vaccination services (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/VSS);
 
* 33 venues operated by private healthcare institutions enrolled in the BioNTech Vaccination Pilot Scheme (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/list_vssdr_covid_bnt_pilot_eng.pdf); and
 
* two Mobile Vaccination Stations (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/List_Mobile_Vaccination_Station_ENG.pdf).

     The designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme) provides the latest information including details on vaccination venues, reservation and enquiry hotlines.

     The minimum age for receiving the Sinovac vaccine is five. The minimum age for receiving the BioNTech vaccine will be lowered to five from February 16.

     Before making an appointment, members of the public should take note of a minimum interval of 14 days between COVID-19 vaccination and any other vaccination (including seasonal influenza vaccination).

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (February 2) said that a Workman II working at its headquarters has tested preliminarily positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

     The workman worked at the General Administration Section of the LCSD Headquarters in Sha Tin District. She is a support staff who needs not have contact with the public and has no recent travel history. The staff member wore surgical masks and observe relevant infection control measures when performing duties. She last worked in the office on January 31.

     The LCSD will arrange thorough cleaning and sterilisation at her working area and the public utilities according to the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP).

     The LCSD is highly concerned about the COVID-19 epidemic and will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff are reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay vigilant. They should seek medical advice immediately if feeling unwell.