Hong Kong - Covid-19 cases - 4,902 cases, 99 deaths?

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/03/P2020020300805.htm

Hospital Authority Urges Staff to Return to Work
***************************************


The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) today (February 3) urged all healthcare workers participating in industrial action to return to work as soon as possible to avoid further affecting public hospital services and patient treatment.

The HA Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, had a meeting with staff members this evening. Dr Ko said, "I hope our colleagues can return to work as soon as possible in the interests of our patients and to avoid overloading the other colleagues stay on duty."

"We share the same objective with our colleagues that the cross-boundary passenger flow should further be reduced to avoid the spreading of the virus. However, we disagree with compromising patient safety when expressing opinions."

The HA Major Incident Control Centre has been closely monitoring the operation of public hospitals today, noting about 2,700 healthcare workers were absent from duty. Although some of the non-emergency services have been reduced in advance, hospital services are still being further affected today.

"While public hospitals have already adjusted service volume earlier to maintain emergency services. For instance, the service quota in General Outpatient Clinics has been reduced by about 25 per cent, while other non-emergency services and Allied Health services have also been reduced by half. Consultation arrangements, treatment procedures and elective surgeries of some patients have also been postponed."

Services that have been affected to a more serious extent include the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Unit, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Isolation Ward and Emergency Medicine Ward in various hospitals. In addition, percutaneous coronary intervention procedures and radiological diagnostic services in some hospitals have also been affected. Many of these services being affected are provided to severely-ill patients.

"If the industrial action continues, public hospitals need to further curtail services, which may eventually affect emergency services and the epidemic prevention work," Dr Ko added.

Dr Ko again thanked the staff who have stayed on duty and being deployed to cope with the extra workload caused by the strike.

The HA welcomes the Government's implementation of more measures to further reduce cross-boundary passenger flow, which shall enhance the capability of Hong Kong in the combat against the epidemic.

For media enquiries, please contact the News Duty Officer (pager: 7328 3855).



Ends/Monday, February 3, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:58

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/04/P2020020400025.htm

HKSAR Government further reduces cross-boundary people flow (with photo)
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In response to the situation of the novel coronavirus infection and having considered the advice of experts, the Government yesterday (February 3) announced that the consolidation of control points must be taken in a more resolute manner in order to further reduce the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong significantly. Cross-boundary passengers by land or by sea will be converged to Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge control points, while passenger clearance services at four control points - Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Lok Ma Chau and Macau Ferry Terminal - will be suspended. Coupled with the other control point management measures implemented on January 30, the number of control points with passenger clearance services suspended will increase to 10.

A Government spokesman said that a number of measures to reduce the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong were implemented on January 30, yielding a significant result. The number of passenger trips arriving in Hong Kong via all control points (except the airport) on February 2 was 73 019, which has dropped 57 per cent compared to the figure on January 29 before the measures came into effect, with Hong Kong residents (63 316 passenger trips) taking up 87 per cent of the total (73 019 passenger trips). Meanwhile, the Government noted that there were still a large number of Hong Kong residents (31 771 passenger trips) departing via all control points (except the airport) on February 2. As these Hong Kong residents return to Hong Kong from the Mainland, the risk of the disease being imported into Hong Kong will increase.

The spokesman said that, from a public health point of view, the spread of the virus occurs regardless of race, nationality and residency status. It is necessary to reduce as much as possible the flow of people across the border, which should cover Hong Kong residents, Mainland residents and other travellers. Since Hong Kong has close ties with the Mainland in terms of the flow of people and goods, it is necessary to maintain limited and controllable services at control points.

The spokesman said that Hong Kong must strictly manage the control points to reduce the cross-boundary flow of people. As a result, the control point services at four control points - Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Lok Ma Chau and Macau Ferry Terminal - will be suspended with effect from today (February 4) until further notice. The consolidation of the control points will enable relevant government departments to focus their manpower and carry out more stringent disease control and prevention measures including enquiries, health declarations and body temperature checks at the control points still in service.

Starting from today, people - including Hong Kong residents - travelling between Hong Kong and the Mainland or between Hong Kong and other places will have to use control points at the Hong Kong International Airport, Shenzhen Bay and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge which provide regular services, plus the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal that provides services when cruise liners are berthed.

The spokesman stressed that all land-based cargo clearance remains normal, so members of the public need not worry about food supplies.

The spokesman said that the Government will continue to monitor closely the situation including the development of the spread of the disease and the changes in the number of passenger traffic, pointing out that it will not hesitate to adopt further measures if necessary including imposing a mandatory quarantine on certain inbound travellers. The Government will continue to prepare more quarantine centre facilities to meet the demand. The Department of Health had also announced earlier the arrangement for mandatory home isolation when necessary.

The spokesman said that the Chief Executive wrote to Consuls-General in Hong Kong on February 2, while the Chief Secretary for Administration together with relevant directors of bureaux met with them, explaining in detail the measures taken by Hong Kong in disease prevention and control, which are in line with the World Health Organization's advice. The Consuls-General were requested to convey to their capital that Hong Kong has a robust, multi-faceted and well-tested system that is open and transparent to tackle the current situation. The Government takes the view that suspending air passenger services to Hong Kong or drastic measures such as restrictions against entry of Hong Kong residents are unjustified and unwarranted, and it will maintain close contact with various governments on the issue.

The spokesman appeals to members of the public not to travel to places where there is an outbreak of the disease and to co-operate with the Centre for Health Protection and healthcare staff including providing accurate information about their travel history to enable officers to perform follow-up duties. Pointing out that the current supply of surgical masks remains tight, the spokesman appeals to the public to stay at home as much as possible and observe personal hygiene to help reduce the consumption of surgical masks. Expressing once again its gratitude to those healthcare workers who stand fast at their posts against the current epidemic, the Government pledged to do its utmost to provide sufficient protective gear and equipment to front-line officers.



Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 0:58

 

[penguinsix]

First death in Hong Kong from coronavirus.

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/compone...3-20200204.htm

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...coronavirus-hong-kong-confirms-first-death-39

A 39-year-old man who lived in Whampoa Garden who had come down with the Wuhan coronavirus has died at the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Hospital Authority said on Tuesday.

It's the first death linked to the coronavirus recorded in Hong Kong and second fatality reported outside the mainland. A Wuhan resident who travelled to Philippines had died in the Philippines earlier.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/04/P2020020400206.htm

Serious impact on public hospital services
**********************************


The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for Hospital Authority (HA) made the following announcement today (4 February).

As a large number of staff members are absent from duty, emergency services in public hospitals have been affected to a certain extent today.

All public hospital Accident & Emergency Department can only focus their limited number of staff on duty to the provision of emergency services. The HA appeals to patients with mild condition to seek consultation at private hospitals and doctors.

Specialist Outpatient Clinics can only provide limited services and patients are advised to reschedule their appointments by contacting the clinics. Patients can go to the clinics to refill their drugs if required.

In the interests of patients, the HA appeals to all healthcare workers who are absent from duty to return to work the soonest to provide the patient services in need.

The HA thanked the staff who have stayed on duty today to maintain emergency services as far as possible.




Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 10:30

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...coronavirus-hong-kong-confirms-first-death-39

Coronavirus: Hong Kong confirms first death, a 39-year-old man
City suffers first fatality related to deadly virus originating in Wuhan, only the second outside mainland China
Coronavirus patient, 39, succumbs to heart failure on Tuesday morning
SCMP
Alvin Lum and Sum Lok-kei
Published: 10:31am, 4 Feb, 2020
Updated: 11:10am, 4 Feb, 2020

A 39-year-old patient has become the first to die in Hong Kong after being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus.

The man, who was being treated at Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung, died on Tuesday morning due to sudden heart failure, according to three medical sources.

He was previously identified as Hong Kong’s 13th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus originating in the mainland China city of Wuhan...

 

[Commonground]

[h=1]Coronavirus: two more cases confirmed in Hong Kong, suspected to have been transmitted locally, hours after city confirms first death[/h] Published: 10:31am, 4 Feb, 2020

• Two new cases, both in their 60s, had not travelled to mainland China recently, and health chief warns of potential for outbreak in city

excerpt:
Hong Kong has confirmed two more cases of the deadly new coronavirus, just hours after a 39-year-old man became the first to die in the city after being infected.

Health officials said there was no obvious source of infection for the two most recent cases but it was suspected it had been transmitted locally. It took the total number of cases in the city to 17.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection’s communicable disease branch, said so far four confirmed cases presented “no obvious source of infection”, and warned of the possibility of outbreaks in the community.

“It is highly probably the four cases were infected locally, so there could be invisible chains of infection happening within communities,” Chuang said. “We do not rule out a large spread [of the virus] in the future.”

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...coronavirus-hong-kong-confirms-first-death-39

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/04/P2020020400434.htm
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (February 4):

Reporter: Hello, Mrs Lam. You have announced the further closure of borders yesterday but it was criticised as coming too late. What took you so long? Were you worried about upsetting Beijing or hurting the feelings of Chinese people? Or you did not want to appear as bowing to pressure amidst the threats of a strike? Are you putting politics ahead of public health? And second question, in your opening remarks you seem to be blaming the medical sector for doing the strike. So, but even the calls of the medical sector and pro-Beijing parties are calling you to minimise the flow of people across the border. Can’t the Government do more to close - the complete closure of the borders? Thank you.

Chief Executive: First of all, the situation of the coronavirus infection is evolving, so our public health strategy is to ensure that we could speedily respond to the changing situation and implement as quickly as possible the necessary response measures. Since January 25, four announcements of various measures have been made in line with that strategy. I certainly would not agree with the allegation that we are not addressing this public health concern adequately and certainly I don’t agree with the allegation that we are putting politics above public health. This is a public health situation and we are assisted by our experts in both external and in-house to tackle this very important situation. But let me make a further appeal: any public health emergency situation could only be tackled effectively by the whole community. Everybody has to do his or her part in order to fight this infection. But of course the Government has primary responsibility.

As far as the strike that has taken place in the public hospitals under the Hospital Authority, I was just laying out the implications and the consequences according to a report by the Hospital Authority. The consequences yesterday were quite serious. Important services, critical operations have been affected, whether it is in the Neonatal ICUs, in the isolation wards or patients awaiting certain cancer treatments, all these have been affected. So I’m appealing to those who are taking part in this action that let’s put the interests of the patients and the entire public health system above all other things.

Having said that, there is actually a high degree of consistency between what they are asking and what the Government is doing. It’s all pointing to, as you have rightly described, minimising the people flow. All the measures that we have adopted in the last 10 days or so are focusing on this one single objective. We want to minimise, reduce very significantly, the cross-border passenger traffic so as to reduce the chances of infection, and we will continue to do that.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)




Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:12

NNNN

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/04/P2020020400443.htm

CE's Office response to media enquiries
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In response to media enquiries on the wearing of surgical masks by officials, a spokesman from the Chief Executive's Office today (February 4) said the following:

Surgical masks are in short supply globally. Taking into account experts' advice in relation to the novel coronavirus infection, the Steering Committee cum Command Centre considers it necessary to prioritise the use of surgical masks, with priority accorded to healthcare workers and front-line staff. To this end, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau issued internal guidelines to the heads of departments yesterday morning, stating that the top priority is to ensure the supply of surgical masks for workers in healthcare settings or when contact with patients is involved, and that departments should economise on the use of Government surgical masks as much as possible. In particular, heads of departments should ensure that those masks are only provided to staff members for use if (i) he/she will have frequent contact with members of the public as part of his/her duties (e.g. counter staff) or work in crowded places; or (ii) it is for meeting essential operational needs; or (iii) it is for meeting special needs of the staff members concerned (e.g. medical conditions).

The above-mentioned internal guidelines do not apply to civil servant colleagues who wear their own surgical masks. The Government has not requested colleagues not to wear surgical masks.

The Chief Executive has earlier reminded Principal Officials to lead by example, minimising the need to wear surgical masks unnecessarily in order to reduce their consumption. In practice, officials will take a risk-based approach and take into account relevant factors such as their personal condition, whether they have left Hong Kong or visited any hospitals recently in deciding whether to wear surgical masks at public functions. At the press conference yesterday, officials present decided whether to wear surgical masks according to their personal conditions. The Chief Executive wore a surgical mask while meeting petitioners this morning, taking into account the need to interact with members of the public in close proximity.



Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:49

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/04/P2020020400438.htm

Public hospital daily update on Wuhan-related cases
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

As at noon today (February 4), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of 64 patients (33 male and 31 female, aged 9 months to 81 years) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent for testing. There are still 88 patients under isolation.

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.



Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:10

 

[penguinsix]

Hong Kong Police arrest man for "fake news" about the coronavirus.

https://twitter.com/hkpoliceforce/status/1224671604610752512?s=20

Upon investigation, the man was arrested for “Transmission of false message by telecommunication”. The Police call on all members of the public to join hands in fighting the epidemic instead of propagating misinformation.

https://www.facebook.com/HongKongPoliceForce/

【 造謠者被捕！發放某商場有多名員工發燒的假消息 】
一名在商場兼職保安員的男子，涉嫌在社交通訊平台發放虛假訊息，指有關商場有多名員工發燒及請病假，試圖誇大疫情，引起他人恐慌。
經調查後，該名男子因為使用無線電話傳送虛假訊息而被警方拘捕。
警方呼籲市民，切勿發放虛假訊息，此等試圖令他人產生不必要憂慮的行為實屬違法，更會為社會添煩添亂。大家應同心抗疫！

A part-time security guard at a shopping mall is suspected to have spread rumours on social media platforms that multiple staff members of the mall had caught a fever and gone on sick leave. The messages posted have exaggerated the seriousness of the situation and caused panic.

Upon investigation, the man was arrested for “Transmission of false message by telecommunication”.

The Police call on all members of the public to join hands in fighting the epidemic instead of propagating misinformation. Such criminal acts breed paranoia in the society and in fact carry severe legal consequences.

--------

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1506616-20200204.htm?spTabChangeable=0


"Hong Kong has no "fake news" law and while the police said the man had been arrested for "transmission of false message by telecommunication", it was not clear exactly which offence he was suspected of committing.

Some suggested it could be the Summary Offences Ordinance, which states that anyone who sends messages which they know to be false "for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to any other person" can be fined HK$1,000 or jailed for up to two months."

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/05/P2020020400729.htm
CHP investigates three additional cases of novel coronavirus infection
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 8pm yesterday (February 4), the CHP is investigating three additional cases of novel coronavirus infection, taking to 18 the number of confirmed cases so far in Hong Kong.

A spokesman for the CHP said, "According to our preliminary epidemiological investigations, the three additional confirmed cases will be classified as local infection cases. The CHP strongly urged the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community."

The spokesman said, "On the personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes. The public should go out less and reduce social activities, and maintain appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible."

"As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps); after using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."

The first additional case involves a 64-year-old woman with good past health. She lives in Celestial Heights, Sheung Shing Street, Kowloon. She presented with cough since January 23 and consulted a private doctor. She then developed fever on January 30 and consulted another private doctor. She had shortness of breath on February 1 and sought treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) where she was admitted for management. The patient was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for further management on February 3. Her respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus. She is now in critical condition.

The CHP has immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. According to the information from patient's son, she had no travel history during the incubation period and mainly travelled between her home and her shop in Prudential Centre in Jordan. Her household contacts, namely her son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and a domestic helper, are asymptomatic and will be sent to a quarantine centre for quarantine.

Those who had visited the patient's shop named "Fresh Up" in Prudential Centre from January 23 to February 1, and the taxi driver who had driven the patient and her son from their home to QEH at around 11am on February 1 are urged to call the CHP hotline.

The second case involves a 60-year-old man with underlying illness who resides in Yue Hong House, Hong Tin Court in Lam Tin. He developed fever and myalgia on January 22, and presented with shortness of breath since January 30. He first attended United Christian Hospital (UCH) on January 30 and then sought medical treatment at Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) where he was admitted for treatment on the same day. Between onset and admission to TKOH, the patient had also consulted four different private practitioners. His respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus. He is now in a stable condition.

According to the patient's information, he had no travel history during the incubation period and mainly stayed home. His home contacts, namely his wife and daughter, are symptomatic and have been sent to UCH for further management.

The third case involves a 25-year-old man with good past health who lives at 183 Ma Tau Wai Road, To Kwa Wan. He developed fever on January 28. He presented with cough, runny nose and diarrhoea on January 29 and attended Hong Kong Baptist Hospital on the same day. He sought treatment at Hong Kong Baptist Hospital on February 3 and was referred to the Prince of Wales Hospital where he was admitted for treatment. His respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus. He is now in a stable condition.

According to the patient's information, he had no travel history during the incubation period. His wife is asymptomatic and will be sent to a quarantine centre for quarantine.

The taxi driver who drove the patient from Hong Kong Baptist Hospital to the Prince of Wales Hospital at around 2pm on February 3 is urged to call the CHP hotline.

The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization, National Health Commission, Health Commission of Guangdong Province and Health Bureau of Macao.

The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. The CHP is also closely monitoring and following up on the contact tracing of relevant confirmed cases in the Mainland and overseas. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.

The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the cases and has extended the operation of the hotline until midnight starting yesterday. Members of the public can call the hotline from 8am to midnight daily for enquiries. As at midnight today (February 5), a total of 4 333 calls were received.

A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP. Information including the latest local situation, list of buildings and list of flights/trains/ships relevant to the confirmed cases, countries/areas with reported cases as well as health advice are uploaded onto the webpage to help the public grasp the latest updates. The CHP, together with departments including the Lands Department, Hospital Authority and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, has also launched the "Novel Coronavirus Infection Local Situation Interactive Map Dashboard" on the dedicated webpage. Relevant information is plotted on the map to help the public view information at a glance.

Meanwhile, the DH will implement further port health measures starting today (February 5). Travellers departing from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal will be required to undergo temperature checks. The health declaration arrangements for inbound travellers will also be expanded to the above two terminals, the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as well as drivers of cross-boundary goods vehicles of Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok Control Points...

...Ends/Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Issued at HKT 1:54

 

[penguinsix]

Hong Kong may quarantine buildings if route of transmission of virus is unexplained.

https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2020/02/20200204/20200204_173346_686.html?type=ticker



Centre for Health Protection Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan today said if there are multiple cases of novel coronavirus infection in a building where the route of transmission cannot be explained, quarantine may be considered.

Dr Chuang made the statement during a press conference when asked whether health authorities would consider placing a whole building under quarantine.

Hong Kong's 13th and 15th confirmed case - a man and his mother - lived in Whampoa Garden.


“After confirmation of the 13th case, his mother and his other family members have been quarantined in the quarantine camp.

“His mother had onset of symptoms in the camp, not in the building. So we have reason to believe that his mother’s infection was transmitted by him, not from another route.

“So for buildings, we might consider quarantine if there are multiple cases in a building where we cannot explain any route of transmission among them."

For those cases which occur because of close contact which can be explained, there is no additional risk for this building as compared with other buildings, Dr Chuang added.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/znews/greater-china/story20200205-1026333

Hong Kong's first case of death of new crown virus
From / Lianhe Zaobao
Posted / February 5, 2020 3:30 AM


The 39-year-old New Crown Virus patient who died yesterday arrived in Wuhan on January 21 and returned to Hong Kong by high-speed rail from the Changsha South Station in Hunan on the 23rd. He developed muscle pain and fever on the 29th and went to the hospital for isolation and treatment. The man had diabetes and his 72-year-old mother was later diagnosed with neocoronavirus pneumonia. Hong Kong added two new confirmed cases yesterday, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 17.

The first death of a new type of coronavirus (New Coronavirus) in Hong Kong occurred in Hong Kong yesterday. A 39-year-old man who had been chronically ill took the high-speed rail to Wuhan last month. He was diagnosed after returning to Hong Kong and eventually died. At the same time, the wave of strikes that pressured the Hong Kong government to fully close customs is spreading to other industries.

The 39-year-old New Crown Virus patient who died yesterday lived in Whampoa Garden, West Kowloon. He arrived in Wuhan on January 21, and returned to Hong Kong by high-speed rail from Changsha South Station in Hunan on the 23rd. He developed muscle pain and fever on the 29th and went to the hospital for treatment after isolation. The man had diabetes and his 72-year-old mother was later diagnosed with neocoronavirus pneumonia.

Hong Kong yesterday added two new confirmed cases of New Coronavirus, 64-year-old female patients and 60-year-old male patients, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 17.

Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Center for Health Protection, explained at a press conference that neither of the two new cases had travel history and were local infections. She pointed out that the source of the four confirmed cases in Hong Kong is unknown, indicating that the local community may have invisible transmission. It does not rule out large-scale transmission in the future, and reiterates that the next 14 days are very critical.

Zhang Zhujun also said that the Protection Center and the Hospital Authority are studying how to expand laboratory monitoring in order to find possible cases of infection. The two newly confirmed local cases are strengthened by the authorities after the laboratory has strengthened the monitoring of the laboratory. know.

However, Hong Kong currently tests 500 to 600 patients every day. If the scope of the test is extended to all patients with flu symptoms, it will be as many as thousands of people a week and it will be difficult to perform.

HA staff front will ask Lin Zheng to talk openly

On the other hand, the strike launched by the staff of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority entered the second phase yesterday. The members participating in the strike lined up to the Hospital's "flowing petition" in the morning. According to organizer figures, more than 7,000 people participated in the second stage of strike escalation operations, approaching 10% of all staff of the Hospital Authority.

The HA's staff front also announced that it will go to the Chief Executive's Office at 10 am this morning and ask the Chief Executive, Mrs Lam Cheng Yuet-e, to have an open dialogue. However, Yu Huiming, the vice chairman of the front, also left room, saying that if a new crown virus outbreak occurs in Hong Kong in the community, the strike will be postponed.

In response to the impact of the strike on Hong Kong's medical services, the director of the Hospital Authority's Internet Service, Yang Yinggang, said at a press conference that 4,400 medical staff were absent yesterday, including more than 360 doctors and more than 2,500 nurses and other personnel, resulting in emergency and non-emergency Services were greatly affected, and some non-emergency surgery was suspended. If the strike continues to escalate, some emergency rooms may need to be closed.

Zhang Zifeng, the Chief Administrative Manager of the Hospital Authority, added that more than a hundred A & E medical staff were absent, and some wards had to be reduced; half of the medical staff in the Intensive Care Unit for Newborns were absent; some cancer operations were delayed.

Other Hong Kong organizations are brewing industrial action. The bus trade union union announced yesterday that a strike or industrial action was planned. The social welfare community also warned at noon that more than a thousand social service workers have expressed their willingness to strike this week and proposed "no customs or work". The group has no clear strike date.

Cathay Pacific ’s trade union announced that it had forced a full grounding of the mainland by a strike on Sunday (9th). An open letter from the author calling himself a "frontline Standard Chartered employee" was also circulating on the Internet, warning that the bank would launch an industrial operation tomorrow if it did not provide qualified masks, strengthen branch disinfection and strictly implement 14-day quarantine.

Under the threat of the New Crown virus, Hong Kong society has strongly called for customs clearance by the Hong Kong Government, and has questioned that the Hong Kong Government has not properly responded to public concerns and put politics above public health. Regarding this, Lin Zhengyue said at a meeting with the media before attending the executive meeting yesterday: "In future work, I don't even think everyone should be surprised that we may have something to announce in a day or two."

Lin Zheng the day before yesterday has announced the further expansion of partial customs clearance, further closing the four ports of Luohu, Lok Ma Chau, Huanggang, Hong Kong and Macau Ferry Terminals, but the normal operation of Shenzhen Bay, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has been described as "squeezing toothpaste "(Batch-by-batch) response.

(The reporter is a special agent for the United Morning Post in Hong Kong)

 

[Treyfish]

[h=1]Hong Kong's first new epidemic death, two cases of local infection expected[/h] Virus or community "invisible transmission" prevention and control key in the next two weeks

The new pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong continues to spread, with the first deaths yesterday morning. The 39-year-old patient (thirteenth case in Hong Kong) living in Huangpu suddenly deteriorated the night before, and the rescue was invalid. He died at Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday morning. At the same time, two new confirmed cases and one initial confirmed case will be added to Hong Kong, and if confirmed, the number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong will increase to 18. Since the two newly confirmed patients and their families have not been to the Mainland in the past 14 days, they have not been able to find the source of the disease, which is believed to be a local infection. The Center for Health Protection does not rule out that the virus has been "invisiblely transmitted" on a large scale in the community. The next 14 days will be a critical time for epidemic prevention...:tiphat:http://paper.wenweipo.com/2020/02/05/HK2002050001.htm

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/05/P2020020500211.htm

Serious impact on public hospital services
**********************************


The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for Hospital Authority (HA) made the following announcement today (February 5).

As a large number of staff members are anticipated to be absent from duty, emergency services in public hospitals will be affected to a certain extent today.

All public hospital Accident and Emergency Department can only focus their limited number of staff on duty to the provision of emergency services. The HA appeals to patients with mild condition to seek consultation at private hospitals and doctors.

Specialist Outpatient Clinics can provide limited services and patients are advised to reschedule their appointments by contacting the clinics. Patients can go to the clinics to refill their drugs if required.

In the interests of patients, the HA appeals to all healthcare workers who have not yet reported for duty to return to work the soonest to provide the patient services in need.

The HA thanked the staff who have stayed on duty today to maintain emergency services as far as possible.



Ends/Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Issued at HKT 9:09

 

[Treyfish]

[h=2]Expert warns virus outbreak in HK 'imminent'[/h]
2020-02-05 HKT 11:33

A respiratory medicine and public health expert at the Hong Kong Medical Association has warned that a community outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus is imminent, with three new locally transmitted cases confirmed on Tuesday.

Dr Leung Chi-chiu said there are probably a number of mild cases in the community that health authorities have failed to detect because of the existing reporting criteria. He expected more cases of this kind will probably pop up in the next few days.

"If there’s a major local outbreak, we need to orientate our services to cater for the new situation because there will be a much larger number of patients, and we need to arrange our service in a way that we can optimise the use of limited resources," Leung said...:tiphat:https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1506740-20200205.htm?spTabChangeable=0

 

[sharon sanders]

Latest situation of cases of novel coronavirus infection

Since 31 December 2019 (as of 4 February 2020, 12:00 noon), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has received reports of a total of 982 cases fulfilling the reporting criteria of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent, including 17 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (including 1 fatal case) and 808 cases which were ruled out as novel coronavirus infection. The remaining 157 cases were still hospitalised for investigation. Separately, the CHP has received notification of the 18th confirmed case after 4 February 2020, 12:00 noon.

Details of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection:

Case no. Date of laboratory confirmation Gender Age Name of hospital admitted Hospitalised/ Discharge/D eath HK/Non-HK resident

1 23/01/2020 M 39 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised Non-HK resident
2 23/01/2020 M 56 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
3 24/01/2020 F 62 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised Non-HK resident
4 24/01/2020 F 62 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised Non-HK resident
5 24/01/2020 M 63 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised Non-HK resident
6 26/01/2020 M 47 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
7 26/01/2020 F 68 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
8 26/01/2020 M 64 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised Non-HK resident
9 29/01/2020 F 73 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised Non-HK resident
10 29/01/2020 M 72 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised Non-HK resident
11 30/01/2020 F 37 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
12 30/01/2020 M 75 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
13 31/01/2020 M 39 Princess Margaret Hospital Death HK resident
14 01/02/2020 M 80 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
15 02/02/2020 F 72 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
16 04/02/2020 F 64 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
17 04/02/2020 M 60 Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident
18 04/02/2020 M 25 Will be transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital Hospitalised HK resident

https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/enhanced_sur_pneumonia_wuhan_eng.pdf

 

[sharon sanders]

[h=1]Coronavirus: desperate scenes as 10,000 queue for masks at Hong Kong industrial estate[/h]

• Huge crowds camp overnight in Kowloon for surgical masks after company promises thousands of boxes, as supplies dwindle across city

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...49082/coronavirus-10000-queue-masks-hong-kong

 

[Commonground]

three new cases in Hong Kong include wife and daughter of man who already has disease

Trio return positive results in preliminary testing, and if confirmed would takenumber of cases in city to 21
Published: 3:27pm, 5 Feb, 2020

Three more people in Hong Kong tested positive for the new coronavirus on Wednesday.

If the infection is confirmed in further tests, it will take the total number of cases in the city to 21.

Sources said the wife and daughter of a 60-year-old man, who lives in Lam Tin and was confirmed on Tuesday to be infected, also returned a positive result in a preliminary test.

The pair were sent to United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong after developing symptoms. The husband, who had an underlying illness, had not travelled outside the city in the 14 days before he fell ill.
-snip-
The 60-year-old man was among the three new locally transmitted cases on Tuesday in what health officials said heightened the risks of a community outbreak.

Continued: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...g-kong-include

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/05/P2020020500541.htm
Public hospital daily update on Wuhan-related cases
******************************************


The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

As at noon today (February 5), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of 62 patients (23 male and 39 female, aged 6 months to 93) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent for testing. There are still 84 patients under isolation.

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.




Ends/Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:40