The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 7) urged the public not to consume a kind of raw milk goat's cheese imported from France, as the product might have been contaminated with salmonella, a pathogen. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Picodon Aop
Brand: Janier
Batch numbers: 12260610, 13260610, 14260610, 15260610, 16260610
Place of origin: France
Importer: Le Quinze Vins Limited

     "The Centre received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned raw milk goat's cheese sample was found by the French manufacturer to have been contaminated with salmonella. The manufacturer concerned has initiated a recall locally. According to the information provided by the RASFF, some of the affected products have been imported into Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CFS said.

     Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer concerned for follow-up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported the above batches of the product, and some of them were sold. Upon notification by the exporter concerned earlier, the importer has already stopped sale of the affected product, initiated a recall and destroyed the remaining product. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2329 8028 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

     "Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and patients with a weak immune system could be more severe and may even lead to death," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected batches of the product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

     The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (collectively the JSC) under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, joined by the Chief Executive's expert advisory panel (EAP), published today (May 7) a consensus interim recommendation on the quarantine requirements for vaccinated close contacts of locally acquired cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Separately, the JSC-EAP also reviewed and updated the recommendation on COVID-19 vaccination for persons with previous COVID-19 infection.

     Following the discussion at the last meeting on April 22, the JSC-EAP has further reviewed and made recommendations based on the prevailing scientific understanding on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. The recommendations are as follows:

For close contacts of locally acquired cases who do not have the N501Y mutant strain
———————————————————————————————–
     The duration of compulsory quarantine can be shortened from 14 days of quarantine in a quarantine centre (QC) to seven days of home quarantine with electronic monitoring, counting from the last day of exposure to the confirmed case (the day of last exposure is regarded as Day 0), provided the following three criteria have been satisfied:

(a) documented proof of completion of two doses of CoronaVac or BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, and that 14 days have passed from the date of receiving the second dose#; and
(b) results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the respiratory specimens taken on Day 0 or Day 1 after admission to a QC being negative; and
(c) positive immunoglobulin G (IgG) or total antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, or positive surrogate neutralising antibody, taken after admission to a QC.

     During the period of home quarantine, the close contact should have a deep throat saliva (DTS) specimen taken on Day 5 after last exposure to the confirmed case. After completing the seven-day home quarantine, the close contact will be subject to seven days of self-monitoring, and to compulsory testing at a community testing centre (CTC) on Day 12.

For close contacts of locally acquired cases detected to have the N501Y mutant strain
———————————————————————————————–
     The duration of quarantine in a QC can be shortened from 21 days to 14 days after the last day of exposure plus seven days of self-monitoring, counting from the last day of exposure to the confirmed case, and they are also subject to compulsory testing at a CTC on Day 19, provided the following three criteria have been satisfied:

(a) documented proof of completion of two doses of CoronaVac or BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, and that 14 days have passed from the date of receiving the second dose#; and
(b) results of PCR testing of the respiratory specimens taken on Day 0 or Day 1 after admission to a QC, and those taken on Day 7 and Day 12 after last exposure to the confirmed case, being all negative; and
(c) positive IgG or total antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, or positive surrogate neutralising antibody, taken after admission to a QC.

# The following persons are regarded as satisfying criteria (a):

1) close contacts who had documented past infection of COVID-19 within nine months after discharge; or
2) close contacts who had documented past infection of COVID-19 more than nine months after discharge plus one dose of CoronaVac or BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, and for whom 14 days have passed from the date of receiving the dose.

     The JSC-EAP's updated interim recommendation on COVID-19 vaccination for persons with previous COVID-19 infection, which supersedes the previous consensus interim recommendation, is as follows:

     Previous COVID-19 infection usually confers immunity for at least six to nine months for the majority of patients. There is accumulating evidence showing that those previously infected with COVID-19 would be further protected by one dose of an mRNA vaccine. After receiving one dose of an mRNA vaccine, these persons may experience more systemic side effects (such as fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain) when compared to those without previous infection. People who wish to receive an mRNA vaccine should wait for at least 90 days after discharge from previous infection. In accordance with the technical guideline issued by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China on March 29, 2021, people with previous COVID-19 infection can receive one dose of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine six months after infection.

     Details of the interim recommendation are available at the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/24008.html).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     In light of the latest global epidemic situation and the emergence of local cases with mutant strains, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (May 7) reminded hospital clusters to prepare for deploying adequate single isolation facilities to dovetail with the stepped-up patient isolation arrangement, while the regular staff testing arrangement will be further extended to reduce the risk of nosocomial transmission of COVID-19 to safeguard patients and staff.
 
     "Single isolation will be arranged for all patients confirmed with COVID-19 infection upon their admission, with gene sequencing tests arranged immediately. Patients of imported cases will be kept in single isolation until they are discharged upon recovery, while patients of local cases will also be kept in single isolation until discharge, unless they test negative for mutant strains through gene sequencing tests," the HA spokesperson said.
 
     In addition, the HA will arrange regular COVID-19 testing for around 65 000 front-line staff who have direct patient contact, starting from next week.
 
     "Upon consultation with infection control experts and making reference to the regular testing arrangements of overseas and local healthcare institutions and other professions, the HA decided to extend the staff testing arrangement next week," the HA spokesperson said.
 
     "The staff concerned will be provided with rapid antigen test kits for conducting self-testing regularly every week. Upon completion of a test, staff members can report their test results through a mobile app designated for HA staff, or save a photo record by themselves. Staff who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for more than 14 days can indicate their preference for participation in the regular testing exercise."
 
     Since January 2021, the HA has introduced pilot COVID-19 regular testing for about 5 000 staff members caring for vulnerable patients and patients with end-stage illness. Rapid antigen testing was later introduced in mid-March. The testing and the reporting workflow have been smooth so far, while feedback from participating staff has been positive. No confirmed case has been identified during the period.
 
     The HA spokesperson reiterated that regular testing and vaccination are types of stepped-up measures. Front-line staff still need to comply with infection control measures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment as stipulated in the guidelines when taking care of patients.
 
     The HA thanks staff members for their co-operation in the testing arrangement and urges members of the public and staff to get vaccinated early so as to reduce their own risk of COVID-19 infection and to prevent the resurgence of a large-scale community outbreak.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 7) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay, see Note 2).     
 
     Twenty-nine beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), nine as Fair (Grade 2) and one as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:         

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

 
Grade 3 beach is:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Butterfly Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Anglers' Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Casam Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2; and Lido Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
 
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
 
Note 1: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has resumed lifeguard services at 16 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk above, from April 16.
 
Note 2: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (May 7) invited interested parties to submit proposals for service provision under the Healthy Teeth Collaboration (HTC).
 
     The HTC aims to: 
 

1. Provide free dental care services to eligible service users through behavioural management, conscious sedation, monitored anaesthetic care or general anaesthesia; and
2. Promote oral health through oral hygiene education to eligible service users and their parents/family members/legal guardians/caregivers.

 
     The current service year for the HTC will run until July 15, 2021. Interested parties are invited to submit proposals for the new service period from July 16, 2021, to July 15, 2024. Applicants must meet all of the following requirements: 
 

1. A non-profit-making entity and exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112);
2. Operating at least one dental clinic with at least one full-time Registered Dentist and one full-time Dental Surgery Assistant for the public at the application closing date;
3. At least one of the Registered Dentists assigned to the HTC must

(i) have worked as a qualified dentist for at least five years in aggregate immediately preceding the application closing date and have experience in providing dental services to persons with an intellectual disability; or
(ii) have received recognised training on provision of dental care services for persons with an intellectual disability; and
     4. Registered in accordance with requirements under section 12 of the Dentists Registration Ordinance (Cap. 156) at the application closing date.  

     The Government will assess the proposals from interested applicants in accordance with the requirements specified in the invitation document, their experience and track record in operating dental clinic(s) and providing dental services to the public and persons with an intellectual disability.
 
     Interested applicants can collect a set of invitation documents from the DH's Adult Special Dental Care Division at 147A Argyle Street, Kowloon, or request a copy by email (seo_odcp@dh.gov.hk).
 
    Applications should reach the DH at Oral Health Education Division, 1/F, Hospital Authority Building, 147B Argyle Street, Kowloon, at or before 9.30am on May 31, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted. For enquiries, please call the Adult Special Dental Care Division (2515 2039).