The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 3,172 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 449 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 2,723 via rapid antigen tests. Separately, 111 imported cases were detected. Furthermore, seven residential care homes for the elderly and five for disabled people logged 13 cases involving their residents. The Hospital Authority reported that 20 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death for nine patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 11 patients was unrelated. It also registered eight more critical cases, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 93. Separately, to align with the Government’s cancellation of issuing isolation orders from tomorrow, the authority will, starting from the same day, announce at 8.30am and 1pm the information of general out-patient clinics (GOPC) quota reserved for COVID-19
The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said it took stringent enforcement actions relating to anti-epidemic regulations during the Easter holidays.
It stepped up inspections and conducted joint operations with Police in various districts on April 2 and 3.
A total of 92 catering premises were inspected during the joint operations, and 894 catering premises and 145 other premises were reviewed by the department on its own in the past two days.
It initiated procedures on prosecution against 10 catering business operators suspected of breaching the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation.
Among them, three were related to failure to ensure that customers scan the LeaveHomeSafe QR code or register their names, contact numbers and the dates and times of their visits before they are allowed to enter the premises.
The remaining were related to the distance or partitions between tables, mask-wearing and failure to arrange for all staff to undergo a COVID-19 test every 14 days.
To minimise the transmission of COVID-19, the department strongly appealed to catering business operators to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease.
It also reminded the public to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.
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