The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹As at 0.00am today (August 19), a total of 1 898 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 258 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 512 patients are in isolation wards, 146 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 608 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 206 in total are new patients. There are six newly reported critical patients and six newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 36 patients in critical condition and 25 are in serious condition, of which 10 critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 237 patients who have recovered, including 206 patients who have been discharged. In addition, eight patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.

     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 59 333 patients who have recovered so far, including 59 034 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 71 713 patients who have recovered, including 71 414 patients who have been discharged.

     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The Government announced today (August 10) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.

Rapid test

     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 270 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Central and Western District – Residential premises around Tai Ping Shan Street, Upper Station Street, Tung Street and Sai Street (see Annex)
• Tai Po District – Kwong Fuk Estate, Yat Nga Court, Elegance Garden, Uptown Plaza, King Nga Court, Sheung Wun Yiu, Ha Wun Yiu, Pan Chung San Tsuen, Tai Po Pan Chung, Fu Shin Estate and Wang Fuk Court
• Wong Tai Sin District – Shatin Pass Estate, Fu Keung Court, Kai Tak Garden, Tsz Oi Court Stage I and II, Tsz Oi Court Stage III, Chuk Yuen North Estate, Ying Fuk Court, Tropicana Gardens, Hsin Kuang Centre, The Forest Hills and residential premises around Fung Tak Road and Fei Fung Street (see Annex)

     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.

     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose of them properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.

     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.