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Apr exports value down 13%

The value of Hong Kong's total exports decreased to $338.3 billion in April, down 13% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports of goods decreased 11.9% to $374.9 billion for the same period.   A trade deficit of $36.6 billion, or 9.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in April.   Comparing the three-month period ending April with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 15.4%, while that of imports increased 10.7%.   The Government noted that the value of merchandise exports declined further from a year earlier in April. Exports to the Mainland, the US and the European Union all shrank and exports to other major Asian markets recorded decreases of varying degrees.   Looking ahead, it added that the weakness in the advanced economies will continue to weigh on Hong Kong's export performance, though the expected faster recovery of the Mainland economy should

1 imported COVID-19 case found

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating one additional COVID-19 case involving a 56-year-old man who arrived from Russia.   Additionally, the centre is investigating an overseas case with a suspected re-positive testing result. The 25-year-old female patient, a US Consulate General in Hong Kong staff member, arrived in March.   Her specimen collected on July 4 tested positive for COVID-19 and she remained asymptomatic. After admission to hospital, the test result was negative while she had a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. Her specimen did not carry the N501Y or L452R mutant strain.   Initial investigations revealed that the woman had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the US in January. After examining the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings, this case is considered to be compatible with a re-positive one.   The Centre for Health Protection is following up on the case with the US health authority and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.   A total of 54 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, including three import-related cases.   For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government’s dedicated webpage.
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