The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesman for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) gave the following update today (April 6):

     One more female patient and another male patient, aged 86 and 65 respectively, in the medical ward of HKBH were also confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. Two patients are now being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.

     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients 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 patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     â€‹The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 6) that, due to power failure, Hong Kong Velodrome in Sai Kung District has been temporarily closed for urgent maintenance works until further notice. 

Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     A voltage dip occurred in Kowloon and the New Territories at 1.31pm today (April 6), resulting in cases of persons being trapped in lifts and automatic fire alarms.

     Members of the public who are being affected by the incidents are advised to stay calm. The Fire Services Department is conducting rescue operations and handling the incidents.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 6) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Pok Oi Hospital has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (April 6), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.