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 Government said today that intimidation against judges and judicial officers is unacceptable to Hong Kong which observes the rule of law and it will spare no effort in bringing the culprits to justice to safeguard the public peace.
The Department of Justice issued a statement in response to threatening letters received by the West Kowloon and Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts.
The statement said that in exercising judicial power, judges are required to handle cases strictly in accordance with the applicable law and evidence.
Article 85 of the Basic Law guarantees the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference, it added.
Strongly deploring recent cases of criminal intimidation against judges, the department said that under section 24 of the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who threatens any other person with injury to him or her shall be guilty and liable to imprisonment for five years.
The Judiciary expressed grave concerns about recent repeated incidents involving intimidating letters sent to judicial officers and it has reported the cases to Police.
It said attempts to exert improper pressure on judges and judicial officers represent a direct challenge to the rule of law and the principle of judicial independence and added that such acts must be severely condemned.
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