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

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
* "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.
 
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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning December 2, 2024:
 

     Today (November 26), the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) handed down the judgment in Li Yik Ho (in substitution for Ng Hon Lam Edgar, deceased) v Secretary for Justice (SJ) (FACV No. 4 of 2024). The case is a judicial review lodged by the applicant concerning the inheritance rights of same-sex couples lawfully married overseas under the Intestates' Estates Ordinance (Cap 73) (IEO) and the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Ordinance (Cap 481) (IPO). The CFA dismissed the SJ's appeal, maintaining the lower courts' judgments holding that the exclusion of same-sex couples lawfully married overseas from certain provisions of the IEO and the IPO amounts to unlawful discrimination and is unconstitutional.
                 
     "The Government respects the CFA's judgment. We will study the judgment thoroughly and seek legal advice from the Department of Justice for appropriate follow-up actions," a spokesman for the Government said.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) gave the following update today (November 26):

     One more female patient, aged 86, in a medical ward of HKBH, was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now under isolation care and is in stable condition.

     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patient in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 is 106.6 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will begin her visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia, on November 27 (Dubrovnik time) to promote Hong Kong's education strengths.
 
     Dr Choi will attend the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board Meeting organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss the current status of and future planning for PISA with representatives from other regions. She will also speak at the PISA Conference to promote Hong Kong's quality education and exchange insights with global education experts on the use of PISA data for enhancing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education.
 
     During her visit, Dr Choi will discuss education issues with OECD leaders, officials from the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia, and education officials from other regions.
 
     Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on November 30 (Dubrovnik time). During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.