Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government today (January 29) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a “restriction-testing declaration” (declaration) effective from 8pm, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Kwai Chung (i.e. Fu Wing House and Fu Wah House, Tai Wo Hau Estate, Kwai Chung. See Annex.) are required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the “restricted area” have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. The Government aims at finishing this exercise at about 7am tomorrow (January 30).
         
     A Government spokesman said, “Under Cap. 599J, the Government can, according to the needs of infection control, make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’. As several cases who have lived in the abovementioned buildings were tested preliminary positive recently, and the preliminary test results may involve a mutant strain, the risk of infection in the relevant area is assessed to be likely higher, so the Government decided to make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’ for the relevant area”.
         
     The Government has set up temporary specimen collection stations at the “restricted area” and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo testing before 2am tomorrow. Arrangements have been made for persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo a nucleic acid test at specimen collection stations where dedicated staff will collect samples through combined nasal and throat swabs. Persons subject to compulsory testing must stay at their place of residence until all test results are ascertained to avoid cross-infection risk. The Government will arrange for door-to-door specimen collection for people and elderly with impaired mobility.
         
     The Government spokesman said, “We understand that this exercise will cause inconvenience to the public. The Government has made arrangements to carry out testing for all persons present in the ‘restricted area’ as soon as possible. The aim is to strive to complete testing of all identified persons subject to compulsory testing and confirm the results, and finish the exercise at around 7am tomorrow. The Government will make a public announcement when the declaration expires officially. In the cases in which employees are unable to go to work because of the declaration, the Government hopes their employers can exercise discretion and not deduct the salaries or benefits of the employees.”
         
     If staying in the “restricted area” will cause unreasonable hardship to individuals who are not residents in the area when the declaration takes effect, government officers may exercise discretion and allow that person to leave the area after considering the individual circumstances. That person must have followed the instructions to undergo testing and leave his/her personal information for contact purposes.
         
     Persons in the “restricted area” who have undergone testing today, and are able to provide the SMS notification through a mobile phone or related certification containing the test results, are not required to take the test again. However, they are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. Also, according to the compulsory testing notice issued today, any person who had been present at the above buildings for more than two hours from January 15 to January 29, even if they were not present in the “restricted area” at the time when the declaration took effect, must undergo compulsory testing on or before January 31. As mutant strain is involved, and having considered relevant infection risks, for prudence’s sake, vaccinated persons are also required to undergo testing.
     
     In addition, in accordance with the latest arrangement, persons who resided in the same buildings as the case carrying variant of concern are required to undergo compulsory testing on days 2, 3, 4 and 7 counting from the day subsequent to that when the relevant case last stayed in that building before being admitted to hospital for treatment or leaving Hong Kong.
         
     The Housing Department has set up a hotline (Tel: 2429 9446) which has started operation at 8pm today for residents restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance. The Social Welfare Department will also provide assistance to the affected persons.
         
     The Government appeals to persons subject to compulsory testing for their full co-operation by registering and undergoing testing, and waiting for the results patiently at home. The Government will strictly follow up on whether the persons concerned have complied with the compulsory testing notices and “restriction-testing declaration”. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital (OLMH) made the following announcement today (January 29) regarding a preliminarily positive case of COVID-19:

     A 73-year-old female patient attended the general out-patient clinic of OLMH due to dry cough on January 28. She tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 and is now in stable condition. 

     The hospital’s infection control team commenced contact tracing immediately and identified a doctor who examined the patient’s throat without eye protection, as close contact. The doctor concerned is currently asymptomatic and her clinical duty has been suspended. She tested negative for COVID-19 and is waiting for quarantine arrangement. 

     The hospital has arranged thorough cleansing and disinfection in the general out-patient clinic, and reinforced all infection control measures. The hospital reminded healthcare staff again to remain vigilant, and should wear appropriate personal protective equipment when performing high risk procedures for patients or when patients cannot wear masks.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the health condition of staff members and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation. read more

     The Government today (January 29) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a “restriction-testing declaration” (declaration) effective from 8pm, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Tung Chung (i.e. Tower 16, Crystal Cove, Caribbean Coast Phase 4, 1 Kin Tung Road, Tung Chung, excluding the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council Tung Yan Day Nursery and Tower 15, Crystal Cove, Caribbean Coast. See Annex) are required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the “restricted area” have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. The Government aims at finishing this exercise at about 7am tomorrow (January 30).
      
     A Government spokesman said, “Under Cap. 599J, the Government can, according to the needs of infection control, make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’. As some cases tested preliminarily positive who have lived in the abovementioned building were detected recently, and the preliminary test results involved mutant strain, the risk of infection in the relevant area is assessed to be likely higher, so the Government decided to make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’ for the relevant area.”
      
     The Government will set up temporary specimen collection stations at the “restricted area” and request persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo testing before 1am tomorrow. Arrangements will be made for persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo a nucleic acid test at specimen collection stations where dedicated staff will collect samples through combined nasal and throat swabs. Persons subject to compulsory testing must stay at their place of residence until all test results are ascertained to avoid cross-infection risk. The Government will arrange for door-to-door specimen collection for people with impaired mobility and elderly persons.
      
     The Government spokesman said, “We understand that this exercise will cause inconvenience to the public. The Government has made arrangements to carry out testing for all persons present in the ‘restricted area’ as soon as possible. The aim is to strive to complete testing of all identified persons subject to compulsory testing and confirm the results, and finish the exercise at around 7am tomorrow. The Government will make a public announcement when the declaration expires officially. In the cases in which employees are unable to go to work because of the declaration, the Government hopes their employers can exercise discretion and not deduct the salaries or benefits of the employees.”
      
     If staying in the “restricted area” will cause unreasonable hardship to individuals who are not residents in the area when the declaration takes effect, government officers may exercise discretion and allow that person to leave the area after considering the individual circumstances. That person must have followed the instructions to undergo testing and leave his/her personal information for contact purposes.
      
     Persons in the “restricted area” who have undergone testing today, and are able to provide the SMS notification through a mobile phone or related certification containing the test results, are not required to take the test again. However, they are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. Also, according to the compulsory testing notice to be issued today, any person who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from January 15, 2022 to January 29, 2022, even if they were not present in the “restricted area” at the time when the declaration took effect, must undergo compulsory testing on or before January 31, 2022. As a mutant strain is involved, and having considered relevant infection risks, for prudence’s sake, vaccinated persons are also required to undergo testing.
      
     In addition, in accordance with the latest arrangement, persons who resided in the same building as the case involving a mutant strain are required to undergo compulsory testing on days 2, 3, 4 and 7 counting from the day subsequent to that when the case last stayed in that building before being admitted to hospital for treatment or leaving Hong Kong.
      
     The Home Affairs Department has set up a hotline (Tel: 2835 1473) which starts operation at 8pm today for residents restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance. The Social Welfare Department will also provide assistance to the affected persons.
      
     The Government appeals to persons subject to compulsory testing for their full co-operation by registering and undergoing testing, and waiting for the results patiently at home. The Government will strictly follow up on whether the persons concerned have complied with the compulsory testing notices and “restriction-testing declaration”. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 29) investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) in Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     The female patient, aged 85 with underlying illness, was admitted to HKSH on January 3 for treatment of underlying illness. Her condition deteriorated on January 14 during hospitalisation in HKSH and she developed fever and signs of pneumonia. Tracheal aspirate collected on the same day in HKSH was later tested positive for Legionella pneumophila DNA. She was transferred to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on January 17 for further management. Her clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. She is currently in stable condition.
 
     Enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history in the incubation period.

     “Epidemiological investigations with HKSH are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs have been collected from potential sources for laboratory testing,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Tracing of contacts including staff and in-patients in the relevant ward is ongoing and those identified have been put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and in-patients, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing. Investigation is ongoing.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     ​The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

     The Civil Aid Service (CAS) has learned that a member was tested positive for COVID-19 on January 27 and she was a close contact of another member (Member A) who was tested positive earlier on January 24. The CAS is highly concerned about the cases.

     Member A was on duty between January 23 and the early hours of January 24. As he had used some of the facilities in the CAS Headquarters before reporting for duty and after going off duty, those facilities have been listed as specified locations for compulsory testing. Those who have been to the locations during the specified periods have to undergo compulsory testing and suspend their duties until they have obtained the test results. Given that the locations subject to compulsory testing are limited, it is estimated that only a small number of CAS personnel are required to undergo compulsory testing and there will be no impact on the management of the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre.

     As regards the member tested positive for COVID-19 on January 27, she had a meal with Member A after going off duty in the morning of January 24. She was subsequently identified as a close contact and had to undergo quarantine, during which the test result was positive.

     Both members have not been on duty at the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre after January 24.

     The CAS has arranged for thorough cleansing and disinfection of the areas where the two members worked. Meanwhile, the CAS will maintain close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection and will strictly follow and implement various disease prevention measures. All staff will also be reminded to enhance the efforts to observe personal hygiene.

     Currently, the CAS manpower is sufficient and the operation of the quarantine centre remains normal. read more