The value of Hong Kong’s total exports decreased to $284.1 billion in February, down 0.8% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today. The value of imports of goods fell 1.8% to $325.7 billion for the same period. A trade deficit of $41.7 billion, or 12.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in February. Comparing the three-month period ending February with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 5.5%, while that of imports also increased 3.3%. The Government noted that taking the first two months of the year together to remove the volatility caused by the difference in timing of the Lunar New Year, the value of exports posted a 16.6% growth against a very low base of comparison a year ago. Exports to the Mainland and the US rose notably, while those to the European Union fell. Those to other major Asian markets recorded a mixed performance. Looking ahead, the Gove
The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 674 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 332 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 342 via rapid antigen tests which were verified.
Among the new cases, 73 are imported while the rest are locally infected.
One more patient passed away, bringing the total number of deaths in the fifth wave of the epidemic to 9,177.
The centre also received 90 reports of positive cases from 81 schools, involving 68 students and 22 staff.
Meanwhile, the Government made restriction-testing declarations to cover Yu Cheong House of Yu Ming Court in Tseung Kwan O and Lam Fai House of Lam Tin Estate in Kwun Tong. People in the restricted areas are required to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.
Due to a number of positive cases, 36 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice.
Starting tomorrow, the mobile specimen collection station at Che Kung Temple Sports Centre in Sha Tin will be relocated to the sports centre's open space, while the one at Po Wing Road Sports Centre in Sheung Shui will be moved to Po Wing Road Playground.
As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Southern, North, Sham Shui Po and Islands districts, the Housing Department and respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there.
For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.
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