No new Covid-19 case reported in HK today

By The SUN 

A vaccination outreach was held in Lok Fu Plaza today to get more people to get jabs 

Not a single case of Covid-19 infection was reported in Hong Kong today, Sept. 2, the first in more than a month. The last time no new local or imported case was detected was on Jul 31.

The new arrivals from abroad would have included foreign domestic helpers who have been trickling in since Hong Kong lifted an entry ban on those vaccinated in either the Philippines or Indonesia starting Aug 30.

Hong Kong residents who were vaccinated in the two countries were also cleared to return from yesterday.

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In the past two weeks, a total of 71 new cases were reported, and all of them were imported.  Hong Kong’s total tally remains at 12,114.

Meanwhile, a community outreach vaccination organized today by the government for tenants of Lok Fu Plaza and members of the public received an enthusiastic response, thanks in part to the offer of a 1kg pack of rice for those who would sign up.

Reports say the 80 same-day tickets issued to walk-in participants were snapped up quickly, leaving many people, many of them elderly, disappointed.

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Outreach vaccination staff moved quickly, and distributed 80 more tickets to those in the queue so they could get their jabs at a nearby community vaccination centre. A shuttle was provided to transport them to the site.

Civil Service Secretary Patrick Nip was at the shopping mall to oversee the outreach vaccination, along with the chief executive officer of Link Asset Management Limited, George Hongchoy.

More than 100 Link Reit staff and 80 walk-in applicants received their first dose of the BioNTech vaccine during the outreach service.

Nip talks to an elderly woman who queued up for the walk-in service

Nip thanked the Link in helping promote the government’s  early vaccination for all campaign by setting up the temporary vaccination area in the mall.

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“I hope such an arrangement will assist those persons who want to get vaccinated to do so immediately as well as the elderly persons and residents nearby. It can also draw people's attention to the importance and urgency of getting vaccinated when walking past this area,” said Nip.

He repeated a call for elderly people to get vaccinated to better protect themselves against the coronavirus and the seasonal flu.

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“I appeal to elderly persons to grasp the opportunity to get vaccinated before the winter influenza season arrives. This is the best way to protect oneself under the current epidemic," Nip said.

Those who wish to make an appointment for receving a Covid-19 vaccine at CVCs or outpatient clinics under the Hospital Authority may register at www.covidvaccine.gov.hk.

They can also make appointments directly with private doctors or clinics enrolled in the government’s vaccination program.

In addition, queuing tickets are available for distribution at 21 CVCs each day to persons aged 60 or above and students aged at least 12, so that they can get vaccinated at a designated time on the same day.

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Raffle draw for 50k air tickets opens Sept 16; other big lotteries ongoing

By The SUN 

Cathay will give a million miles each to 10 winners while the AA will raffle off 50k roundtrip tickets 

All residents vaccinated in Hong Kong, including migrant domestic workers, will have a chance to win 50,000 free roundtrip plane tickets in the Airport Authority’s lucky draw that will open for registration from Sept 16 until Sept 30.

Winners will be drawn randomly by computer on Oct 5, and announced on Oct. 12.

The AA will be giving away 50,000 round-trip economy class plane tickets from Hong Kong to destinations in different regions as an incentive to residents to get jabbed before community vaccination centers close at the end of the month for those taking their first dose.

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For more details on the lucky draw, click here.

Meanwhile, a raffle draw for all vaccinated residents by Goodman, a global logistics company, will close today, Sept. 2. Up for stake are prizes worth a total of $1 million, with a brand-new Tesla Model 3 Long range car worth $600,000 as the top draw.

The link to the draw is here: https://hkgoodshot.goodman.com/registration

Another big lucky draw that is still open for registration until Sept 10 is the one sponsored by the Cheung Kong and Hutchison group.

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The top prizes will be given as cash vouchers which can be used as down payment for a flat, or for purchases in retail stores under the CK group, which include Fortress, Watson's and ParkNShop. 

The first prize is $5 million worth of  vouchers, $3million worth for the second prize; and $1 million for the third prize.

The link to the registration is here: https://www.ck-lksf-supportvaccine.hk/en/application/register

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Cathay Pacific Airways has also joined the lottery craze, with its top prize an exclusive flight around Hong Kong aboard its new A321neo, the world’s most advanced narrow-body aircraft.

Ten lucky residents will also be awarded one million Asia Miles each, enough for them to travel in luxury on a long-haul flight at least 10 times. Another 100 winners will each get 100,000 Asia Miles, which they can use for flights, hotel stays and lifestyle products.

Registration for the draw is ongoing until Sept 15. Link is here: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cathay-vaccination-lucky-draw/en_HK/registration.html? switch=Y&fbclid=IwAR0ozpKwY_sHEeFJjftcigpTIfgjAOFK9kLkGvwgq4FKkFBOPCJEWYGb3h8

3 Mercedes Benz C class will be raffled off to vaccinated residents

Another big-ticket draw is the raffle sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, where three Mercedes Benz C class cars, each valued at more than $500,000, are the top prizes.

The total value of the pot is more than $30 million, with a raffle draw to be held seven times starting on Jul 22. Residents need only sign up once to qualify for all the draws.

The link to join is here: https://www.hkgccluckydraw.com/en/reminder.html

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Home appliances company, TCL, has been holding weekly raffle draws where the prizes given away include TV sets, sound system, air filter and others. The registration which is open to all residents vaccinated in Hong Kong, will be open until Sept 10.

To register, check this link: https://www.tcl.com/contents/acp/HKlottery02?activityId=39&fbclid=IwAR165knNUEHkazH71VwsAPChL0SK6TgpRPiPE0sJ0EqPw6k1VoRFGQnyuto

Another must-join lucky draw is being held under the auspices of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange, where jewelry, gold bars and other precious items have been raffled daily since Aug 18.

Registration for the lottery will close at 5:30pm on Sept 29. The link to register is here: https://www.tcl.com/contents/acp/HKlottery02?activityId=39&fbclid=IwAR165knNUEHkazH71VwsAPChL0SK6TgpRPiPE0sJ0EqPw6k1VoRFGQnyuto.

Also giving away gold pieces through regular draws is a group under Henderson Land. Registration is still open, through this link: https://www.hldluckydraw.hk/en/registration.html

SaSa cosmetics company is holding its own million-dollar raffle draw, with $2,000 worth of store vouchers being given away each week to five lucky winners. Ten weekly lotteries started on Aug 4 and will end on Oct 4.

To join, click this link: https://vaccine.sasaluckydraw.com/register_en.html

Meanwhile, registration for the most expensive giveaway, a flat worth $10.8 million is the top draw, just closed on Sept 1. Only permanent residents were qualified to win the flat, but other big prizes were open to non-PRs, aged 18 and above, and hold HKID cards.

The lucky draw is jointly funded by The Sino Group’s Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation along with Chinese Estates Holdings.

Also closed for registration are the lotteries sponsored by Chinachem Group, Shangrila Group, Sun Hung Kai, and HK Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The raffle draws are being held to encourage Hong Kong residents to complete their two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine before community vaccination centres stop giving first doses by the end of September, and the second dose within October. All CVCs within Hong Kong will then close.

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HK labour chief rules out second quarantine hotel for FDHs

By Daisy CL Mandap 

Law says talks with a second hotel for FDH quarantine broke down (RTHK photo)

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong has said the government cannot provide for another quarantine hotel for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) as there is a high demand for them from other people traveling to Hong Kong.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Legislative Council meeting his afternoon, Sept. 1, Law revealed that talks with a second hotel intended for use by incoming FDHs had broken down over pricing and financial arrangement.

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Currently, only Silka Tsuen Wan hotel, with about 230 available rooms, has been designated for use by an estimated 4,000 vaccinated FDHs with employment visas waiting in line to come in from the Philippines and Indonesia.

With their quarantine stay fixed at 21 days, the hotel has been fully booked until November, leaving employers at wits’ end trying to figure out how soon their helpers  who have already been stranded for months, can come in.

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But Law has firmly ruled out a suggestion to allocate more quarantine hotels for the FDH’s use, and allow some returning residents to isolate at home.

“Somehow, there is a consistent demand from people coming back from elsewhere to Hong Kong for quarantine arrangements, so the existing provision of designated quarantine hotels is basically needed,” said Law.

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“On this particular front, when we are trying to provide this designated quarantine facility for foreign domestic helpers, we try not to affect the overall supply (of quarantine facilities) for people coming back from elsewhere. So, somehow we are trying to, particularly in this case when we are using existing quarantine facilities, basically trying to increase such a supply, but there is always a limit.”

Law reiterated Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s announcement a day earlier that other FDHs may be accommodated in about 800 available rooms at the government-run Penny’s Bay quarantine centre in Lantau, at a cost of $500 a day per head.

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He also stressed the need to allow FDHs to come in gradually, as they will be coming from two countries specified as high-risk areas for Covid-19.

“It is very important for us to closely monitor the situation, because there is always a risk when we are allowing people from these high-risk areas coming back to Hong Kong in large numbers. Then, that will put a very substantial pressure on our system and there can always be leakage,” he said.

On top of requiring incoming workers to only stay at the only designated quarantine hotel, Hong Kong also wants them to be fully vaccinated, with a recognized vaccination record from their home countries. 

It took 3 weeks of talks before HK agreed to accept the Phl's yellow vaccination card

They should also present a negative result for a RT-PCR test for Covid-19 taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight to Hong Kong, and a confirmed hotel booking for their 21-day quarantine.

On arrival, the helpers should again test negative for Covid-19 at Hong Kong airport before being allowed to leave for their quarantine hotel.

During their 21 days of isolation, they must undergo five more tests, then do self-checks for a further seven days, before taking compulsory testing at a government-run facility on the 26^th day of their arrival.

Most of the incoming FDHs from the Philippines have been stranded since Hong Kong imposed a ban on all passenger flights from the country starting Apr 20. The ban was lifted on Aug 9, but only for travelers who had been fully vaccinated in Hong Kong.

After a lengthy negotiation with Consulate officials on the recognition of a centrally-issued vaccination record, HK announced that FDHs who had their jabs in the Philippines could come in starting on Aug 30.

But this came with yet another condition - that they can only spend their quarantine in Silka.

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9 more Pinoys found with HIV, 4 with AIDS, in 1st half of year

By Vir B. Lumicao

People who practise unsafe sex are urged to take the HIV test for free at govt clinics

The pandemic has failed to curb the number of people contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or full-blown AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) in Hong Kong, latest government figures show.

The trend is reflected even among Filipinos who contracted the deadly disease.

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Six new HIV cases involving Filipinos were recorded in Hong Kong in the second quarter of this year, doubling from the first quarter, for a total of nine for the first half of the year.

Three more cases of Filipinos with AIDS were added to the lone case recorded in the first quarter, for a total of four from January to June this year.

But the Filipino numbers were just a drop in the bucket compared with the overall figure for Hong Kong.

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The total number of new HIV cases in the city went up to 232 in the second half of the year, when 131 additional infections were recorded in the second quarter,  up from 101 in the first quarter.

AIDS cases totaled 50 for the first six months, after 26 new infections were added to the 24 listed for January to March.

A statement from the Department of Health said sexual contact is still the most common mode of transmitting HIV.

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“Sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission. Members of the public should use condoms consistently and properly so as to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV,” said the DH statement.

According to DH staff, the latest Filipino HIV cases involved two men and four women. All the women and one man got infected through heterosexual sex. The other man acquired the virus from homosexual sex.

Also during the second quarter, two Filipino women and one man were found to have acquired full-blown AIDS from heterosexual contact.

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In the first quarter, the HIV- infected patients involved two men and a woman. The lone AIDS patient was a woman. Three of them acquired the virus from heterosexual sex, while one man did not provide enough information about the possible transmission route.

But overall, homosexual or bisexual contact emerged as the major transmission route for HIV in Hong Kong.

Of the new cases recorded involving 109 men and 22 women, 75 were found to have been infected through this route, 33 via heterosexual sex, and two via drug injection.

The remaining 21 cases’ transmission routes have yet to be determined due to incomplete information at reporting, the DH said.

As for the 26 new AIDS cases, 14 were contracted through homosexual or bisexual contact, 11 from heterosexual contact, and one through needle sharing.

The new cases were mainly reported by three major sources:

• Public hospitals, clinics and laboratories, which reported 57 cases;
• Private hospitals, clinics and laboratories, which found 22 cases; and
• The DH’s Social Hygiene Clinics, which accounted for 19 cases.

The new cases took Hong Kong’s total HIV tally to 11,017 since 1984, when the first recording of local infections was made.

Govt graph shows HIV infections peaked in 2015

People with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV antibody test early, the DH said. They can call the AIDS Hotline, 2780 2211, to arrange a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test. HIV-positive people should seek specialist care as soon as possible, the DH said.

​The public may visit the following pages for more information: the DH’s Virtual AIDS Office (www.aids.gov.hk), the Red Ribbon Centre (www.rrc.gov.hk), the AIDS Hotline website (www.27802211.com) and the Gay Men HIV Information website (www.21171069.gov.hk).

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8th passenger from banned Turkish Air flight tests positive for Covid-19

By The SUN 

Flight TK083 was suspended for 2 weeks starting Aug 29

Another passenger of Turkish Airlines flight TK083 which arrived in Hong Kong on Aug 27 from Istanbul has tested positive for Covid-19.

The 32-year-old female patient who originally came from Greece is the eighth passenger from the virus-plagued flight to have been found infected.

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She tested positive at a quarantine centre where she was moved after her male companion was confirmed to have the coronavirus yesterday, while they were both under quarantine at Ramada Grand View Hotel in North Point.

The 39-year-old man was also found to carry the L452R mutant strain, while the test result for the woman is still pending.

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Both passengers received two doses each of the BioNTech vaccine in Hong Kong, on Mar 23 and Apr 13. They also tested positive for antibodies on Jul 13.

The six other Covid-19 positive patients from the Turkish Air flight all came from Turkey, and five belonged to one family.

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Flight TK083 was suspended for two weeks starting on Aug 29 after three of its passengers were found infected on arrival test at Hong Kong International Airport.

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Today’s lone case took Hong Kong’s total Covid-19 tally to 12,114. 

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Filipina helper found dead in Wanchai flat hanged self, police say

By The SUN 

The Filipina was found hanging by a rope inside a flat in Greenville Gardens

A 41-year-old Filipina domestic helper who was found hanging by a nylon rope inside her employer’s flat in Wanchai had killed herself because of personal problems, the police told The SUN today, Aug 31.

The body of the victim, L. Tambong, was found hanging inside her room in a unit at block 15 of Greenville Gardens, Shiu Fai Terrace, on the morning of Aug 19,  said a police spokeswoman.

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She added a 75-year-old local man had called the police at 8:08am that day to report the incident. Fire service rescuers who rushed to the address brought her down and certified the victim dead at the scene. 

The case has been classified as suicide although no suicide note was found, the officer said. She added investigators gathered the woman had been depressed due to “difficulties in life.”

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An autopsy has been conducted on the victim’s remains.

Welfare Officer Virsie Tamayao of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said the victim was married but could not give further details.

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Tamayao said that she could not contact the victim’s family because each time she and her staff dialed the number provided in the worker’s records, all they got was a recorded reply saying the number dialed was out of the coverage area.

“The agent came to our office only last Aug 26, Thursday, and advised us to tell the employer to visit the ATN for shipment requirements and procedures. Walang details of beneficiary sa record po,” Tamayao said.

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She did not say if OWWA has managed to reach the victim's employers and whether arrangements have been made for sending the remains back to the Philippines.

Any information that could link authorities to the deceased's family in the Philippines should be relayed directly to OWWA at their office on the 29th floor of United Centre building in Admiralty.

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PCG plans to open voter registration on Saturday amid clamor

By Vir B. Lumicao 

The rush to register for next year's election has caused overcrowding at the Consulate on Sundays

 

Responding to a strong clamor from Filipino migrant workers, the Consulate says it is considering opening on the last four Saturdays left before the voting registration for overseas Filipinos ends on Sept. 30.

 

The call to extend the voters’ registration beyond the Consulate’s opening hours on Sundays to Thursdays came mostly from migrants whose only rest day in the week falls on a Saturday.

 

About 300 Filipino domestic workers have so far signified their intention to enlist for the May 2022 presidential election if the registration was opened on a Saturday.

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Consul General Raly Tejada said he is discussing the plan with his officers and will make an announcement accordingly.

 

“I can confirm that the PCG (Philippine Consulate General) is planning to open voter registration during Saturdays. However, I wish to appeal to all our nationals to also consider coming during weekdays,” ConGen Tejada said in reply to an online query.

He acknowledged that the Sunday overflow of people at the Consulate, mainly because of workers who want to register for overseas voting, has been difficult to manage. He thus appeals to workers to register on weekdays if possible.

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“Last Sunday was very difficult for many as some had to wait 3-4 hours to finish, something that would not even take more than 30 minutes during weekdays as there are a lot less clients,” he said.

The country’s top diplomat also expressed hope that employers would give time to their helpers to attend to official business during the week.

“I hope employers could also allow their employees to go out during weekdays to make official transactions (including voter registration) as this will certainly lessen the stress and waiting time for everyone,” ConGen Tejada said.

Congen Tejada says there is a plan to hold registration in the last 4 Saturdays before the deadline

For the first time since overseas voting registration for Filipinos began in 2003, no outreach or mobile services were initiated during the year-long list-up, which would have allowed workers who are off on Friday or Saturday when the Consulate is closed, to register.

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The unprecedented slowdown is largely due to the pandemic, which forced the Consulate to shorten service hours for several months, especially when the infection in Hong Kong was at its peak.

 

Many workers were also unable to go out on their rest days, or opted to stay close to their residential area.

 

But some Filipino community leaders are worried that the seeming lack of a high-profile campaign by the Consulate to encourage newcomers to register could seriously deflate Hong Kong’s registration figure, which has always been the highest in any overseas post.

 

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This concern was relayed recently to Consul Robert Quintin, who oversees voter registration, by Dolores Balladares-Pelaez, chair of United Filipinos in Hong Kong.

 

Pelaez said afterwards that she got assurance that the Consulate would hold voter registration on Saturdays if at least 50 qualified registrants would sign up to request this service.

 

Informed about this condition, The SUN asked members of the Facebook group Domestic Workers Corner to declare their intention to register as overseas voters if the Consulate opened for this service on a Saturday.

 

In less than 24 hours, more than 300 migrant workers answered in the affirmative, and even provided their names and those of their friends to show their willingness to take part in the election process.

 

Earlier stories on voter registration which were posted on The SUN’s Facebook page also drew the same overwhelming call to open voter registration on Saturdays.

 

Many expressed frustration that they are being deprived of their right to register and vote just because the Consulate is closed on their rest day, or on statutory holidays when they are also allowed to take the day off.

 

On Monday evening, DWC emailed a request to the PCG to give its so-called Saturday Group a chance to register. Attached to the email was a list of 266 names of workers who have signified their intention to register if the Consulate opened for the service on a Saturday.

 

The strong clamor reflected the eagerness of Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong to vote in national elections in the Philippines, which take place every three years.

 

The interest usually peaks every six years, when Filipinos overseas get the chance to cast their ballot for the country’s next president, vice-president, senators and a party-list of their choice.

 

Next year is the next presidential vote, when Filipinos all over the world will elect a successor to President Rodrigo Duterte as well as other key officials.

 

When he was elected in 2016, an unprecedented 93,978 Filipinos had registered to cast their ballots in Hong Kong.

 

Quintin said it would be difficult to even match this registration figure now, but has declined to give the latest tally.

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