HK logs 3k new Covid cases as health chief sees 10k patients in hospital by Sept

By The SUN

 

Secretary Lo says the current outbreak will only peak in September

It could get worse before it gets better.

This seems to be the message from Hong Kong’s new Secretary for Health, Prof. Lo Chung-mau, who said in an interview earlier today that the current wave of Covid-19 infection could lead to 10,000 being hospitalized by September.

Lo’s statement came as the Centre for Health Protection reported 3,154 new cases Wednesday, 212 of them imported. It was the second time in seven days that the caseload breached the 3,000 mark.

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The number of patients in hospitals also went up to 1,031, sparking fresh concern among authorities.

Lo had earlier said government expects to see the number of cases doubling to about 6,000 by the middle of this month.

His new statement indicating the infection would peak only by September indicates the number of cases would likely continue to surge within the next few weeks.

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However, Lo said in his interview with a local news outlet that he would not allow the current outbreak to get out of hand.

Between February and March this year, a severe outbreak caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus saw the daily caseload surging to more than 50,000, with thousands more positive results from self-tests going unreported.

In the interview, Lo also indicated quarantine-free travel could be allowed only in time for the global bankers’ summit to be held in the city in November.

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Whether new arrivals would be allowed to skip hotel quarantine for just two of the current seven days’ requirement or the entire week, would depend on the positivity rate among travelers on the third day of their hotel quarantine, said Lo.

But even if quarantine-free travel is finally allowed, he said there would still be safeguards like PCR testing prior to boarding a flight to Hong Kong.

Once the health code is implemented, new arrivals would also be restricted in their movements, like they will not be allowed to enter high-risk venues like bars, hospitals or elderly care homes; and engage in mask-less activities like eating in restaurants.

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The November summit organized by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Financial Secretary is expected to gather more than 100 global financial executives, but the hotel quarantine requirement would likely deter some from attending.

Ho says the rise in hospital admissions is worrying (File)

Meanwhile, Hospital Authority’s Dr Sara Ho said it was “worrying” that the hospitalization figure had gone up to more than 1,000, especially since the source of infection in “quite a lot” of them was unknown. Last month, the number was only around 300.

Ho also said that among those confined in public hospitals, 18 are critically ill, with nine of them in intensive care; while 30 are in serious condition.

Two more Covid patients died, a 102-year-old woman who was unjabbed and a 65-year-old man who received two doses of a vaccine.

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Ho said more staff would be deployed to ensure patients were well looked after.

She also said the daily Covid testing for staff would be stepped up, with those that care for vulnerable groups being required to do the PCR instead of the rapid antigen tests, before they report for duty.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection said that of the 212 imported cases, 101 were detected at the airport, 67 during hotel quarantine and the remaining 43 after ending their isolation period.

Among those who tested positive on arrival, 53 had flown in from the United Kingdom, 20 from the United States, 12 from Thailand, 11 from Australia, and the rest from various places.

She reiterated that less than 10 percent of all the daily infections were imported cases, when asked if it was safe to relax the hotel quarantine for new arrivals.

“There is a greater risk with local transmissions,” she said.

Chuang said 58 new infections involving the BA.2.12.1 sub-variant have been found, and 40 of them were from unknown sources. An additional 24 cases involving BA.4 or BA.5 were also found, of which 15 were unlinked.

An additional 387 cases were reported from 309 local schools, involving 314 students and 73 staff. Four schools were told to suspend some classes where at least two cases were found.

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Tsismis at fake news planong gawing krimen sa HK

Tinanong sa Legco ang gobyerno tungkol sa plano nitong isabatas ang pagbabawal sa fake news

Pinag-aaralan ng Hong Kong government ang pagpapatupad ng bagong batas laban sa pagpapakalat ng tsismis, fake news at mapanirang pahayag.

Ipinahayag ni Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, na ang kanyang opisina ay nagsasagawa ng ganitong pag-aaral matapos mabanggit ang pangangailangan dito sa Policy Address ni Chief Executive Carrie Lam noong nakaraang Oktubre.

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Ginawa ni Mak ang pahayag matapos magtanong tungkol dito ang mambabatas na si Elizabeth Quat sa sesyon ng Legislative Council kanina (July 13).

Sinabi ni Mak na nagsimula na ang pag-aaral upang masiguro na may sapat na mapapanghawakan ang mga tagapatupad ng batas upang mapanagot ang mga nagkasala. Layon daw nito na pangalagaan ang seguridad ng Hong Kong. 

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Sakop ng kanilang pag-aaral ang pagsusuri ng ganitong uri ng batas sa ibang bansa, at ang kanilang karanasan sa pagpapatupad nito. Idaragdag dito ang pag-aaral ng mga batas laban sa pag-iinsulto sa mga kawani ng pamahalaan.

Ayon kay Quat, may 15 nang lugar ang nagpapatupad ng ganitong uri ng batas, kasama ang Macau at Japan.

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Sinabi niya na ipinatutupad na sa Macau ang batas na nagbabawal sa pag-insulto at paninira laban sa isang tao, at mas mataasa ng parusa kapag ang biktima ay kawani ng gobyerno.

Sa Japan naman, tinaasan ng Diet (ang kanilang kongreso) kamakailan ang parusa sa pang-iinsulto, gaya ng paninira sa pamamagitan ng internet.

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Ayon kay Mak, ang bagong batas na mabubuo sa isinasagawang pag-aaral ay idaragdag sa mga batas na kasalukuyang nagagamit sa Hong Kong upang labanan ang mapanirang salita.

Ilan sa mga batas na ito ang:

• Crimes Ordinance: Section 24 tungkol sa criminal intimidation (may kulong na hanggang limang taon), at section 9-10 tungkol sa sedition.

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• Summary Offences Ordinance: section 23 tungkol sa hindi pagsunod sa o paghadlang sa opisyal ng gobyerno sa pagtupad ng kanyang tungkulin (may  muktang hnggang $1,000 at kulong hanggang anim na buwan).
• Public Order Ordinance: section 17B tungkol sa maingay ay magulong pag-uugali at paggamit ng salitang nagbabanta, nagmumura at nang-iinsulto (may multang $5,000 at kulong na 12 buwan).

Base sa mga batas na ito, 58 ang kinasuhan sa korte noong 2021, at 43 sa kanila ang nahatulang nagkasala. Sa mga nagkasala, 14 ang ipinakulong, 2 ang binigyan ng probaton order, 3 ang inutusang magsilbi sa komunidad, at 24 ang binigyan ng iba’t ibang magagaang na parusa.

 

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Peso ends on 18-year low after dipping to lowest level

By The SUN

 

Exchange rate for the peso as of yesterday (Inquirer graphic)

The peso dropped to a historic low of 56.45:US$1 on Tuesday, Jul 12, before recovering slightly to close at 56.375 to the USD, its lowest level since November 2004.

Analysts say the local currency is likely to fall even more against the greenback unless the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas becomes more aggressive in raising interest rate. 

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BSP has been hesitant to hike rates as the country’s trade deficit continued to widen to new records, and inflation broke through the upper end of its target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

“The peso is set to weaken further in the near term as BSP stays dovish while inflation heats up further,” one analyst predicted.

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Yesterday’s close was the peso’s weakest in 17 years and eight months or since Nov 5, 2004, when it closed at 56.375:US$1.

Its decline is also attributed partly to a weakening of local market sentiment as the number of Covid-19 cases rose to its highest level in four and a half months.

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BSP could intervene to arrest the peso’s decline as it did in 2004-2005, but analysts say it’s still a wait-and-see prospect.

A netizen sparked controversy with the folded Php1k bill that she said was rejected by SM

Meanwhile, the BSP told retailers and banks that they should accept Php1,000 polymer bills for day-to-day payments even if they are folded or creased.

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The statement issued Tuesday was in reaction to an uproar over news that certain business establishments, including the biggest mall chain, SM, had been rejecting the polymer bills if they had been folded.

This was in line with the BSP’s own guidelines that said the new Php1k banknotes should be kept flat inside wallets, particularly the typical bi-fold wallets.

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The BSP also urged the public to keep all banknotes that they use for paying for goods and services clean, unmarked and without creases.

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2 Filipinas held without bail on charges of stealing jewelry, cash from employers

By Daisy CL Mandap

 

The two accused were ordered held without bail by an Eastern Court magistrate

Two Filipina domestic workers are being held without bail on charges of stealing expensive jewelry pieces from their respective employers who live in Repulse Bay and Aberdeen.

The two appeared before Principal Magistrate Ada Yim at Eastern Court on Tuesday, Aug 12 but entered no plea.

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One of them, M. R. Dequilla, was arrested only on Jul 8 after allegedly stealing a black diamond necklace, diamond earrings and a gold ring belonging to her employer, Esther Ma, at her residence in Tower 2, South Bay Palace, South Bay Close in Repulse Bay.

The alleged theft happened between May 15 and Jul 8 this year.

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Although no bail application was made, the prosecutor said they would oppose any such application given the gravity of the alleged offence.

Magistrate Yim agreed, and set the next hearing on Sept 6, after the prosecution asked for an adjournment for further investigation.

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The other accused, M.J. Zapanta, 43, is accused of stealing HK$14,000 cash, RMB5, three necklaces, two rings, three pieces of earrings and two bracelets from her employer, Au Leung Chi.

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The alleged theft happened at the employer’s residence at World Fair Court in Aberdeen between April and June 2022.

Zapanta made no application for bail and at the prosecution’s request, adjourned the case to Aug. 16.

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Both accused were ordered returned to custody until their next court appearance.

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CE says health code will allow hotel quarantine to be cut short

By The SUN 

CE Lee says hotel quarantine could be cut once the health code is adopted

Chief Executive John Lee has indicated his government is on course to cut the hotel quarantine for newly arrived travelers, which is why the introduction of a health code is necessary.

Speaking to the media before the Executive Council meeting earlier today, CE Lee said the health code system will only target two types of people: those who have been infected and must be kept at home, and those who are now being kept in quarantine hotel.

“First of all, the red code is intended to identify people who have been infected and they should not be going around spreading the virus,” he said.

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“The second group is also very small and well defined, which is people who are now being kept in a quarantine hotel. We (will) introduce this yellow code for them…to allow them to have some limited activities, so that business can continue in a much normal way, and we need some identification method.”

Also as part of the new measures, all infected patients will be required to wear electronic tracking devices starting on Friday to compel them to stay at home in compliance with the law.

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The CE made his statement as the Hospital Authority said it has cut down on non-emergency treatments because of a significant rise in the number of infections and the corresponding increase in hospitalizations.

Hospitals are cutting down on non-urgent surgeries as Covid admissions hit 1,000

An additional 2,767 coronavirus infections were reported today, of which 211 were imported cases.

More than 1,000 patients are now being treated in public hospitals, including 17 who are critically ill and 24 who are in serious condition.

Lee said the government is trying to come up with anti-epidemic measures that are more precise and scientific so they can protect people who are at high risk for contracting Covid and at the same time, allow others to get in and out of the city more easily and conveniently.

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The CE denied the health code system which would require users to provide their real names was meant to keep track on people, infringing on their right to privacy.

“Any measures meant for tackling the epidemic will not be used for other purposes. It’s not going to happen. If anyone wants to stir trouble with this, let me say here categorically that it’s not a fact. It’s not true. Don’t believe in such things,” Lee said.

He cited figures that show an escalation in the daily infection tally. From about 3,000 cases each day at present, he said the trend indicates that the figures will go up very quickly soon.

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The hospitalisation rate has also tripled in just a month and a half, from about 300 to nearly 1,000 as of today.

This jump has led some public hospitals to cut down on non-urgent surgeries, said HA’s Dr Sara Ho said in today’s press briefing.

“In some hospitals and clusters, we have started to adjust the quota for elective surgeries, such as endoscopy service, elective cardiac interventions or some of the elective surgeries for benign tumours. These measures are to mobilise the manpower and beds to accommodate an anticipated upsurge in patients,” she said.

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She called on Covid patients to seek early treatment to prevent their condition from deteriorating.

Ho reported one more Covid-related death, involving a 94-year-old woman who had two vaccine jabs. Her death pushed the fatality toll in the fifth wave to 9,207. 

Among the new cases, 2,558 were locally transmitted, including 1,103 confirmed via PCR tests and 1,455 verified positive RAT results. 

Among the 211 imported cases, 135 were detected at the airport, including 56 from the United Kingdom. Fifty-seven infections were reported during hotel quarantine, and 19 after the mandatory seven-day isolation.

CE Lee said the government will soon announce a new round of appointments to the expert panel advising the government on its Covid strategy.

Reports say the new appointees will include Prof Ivan Hung, head of the University of Hong Kong’s infectious diseases division and Prof Wallace Lau, convenor of the advisory panel on Covid-19 vaccines.

They will join incumbent professors Gabriel Leung, Dean of Medicine at HKU; Yuen Kwok-yung, HKU Microbiology Department head; and David Hui, chair of the Department of Medicine at Chinese University in Hong Kong.

Lee said the government will continue to listen to experts’ views and look at scientific data before making any policy decisions concerning the pandemic.

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Pinay kulong ng anim na buwan dahil sa pagnanakaw ng alahas ng amo

 

Dininig ang kaso sa Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts

Isang Pilipinang domestic helper ang ikinulong ng anim na buwan kanina matapos umaming nagnakaw ng mga alahas at cash na may kabuuang halagang $59,000 sa kanyang among taga-Tseung Kwan O.

Kinasuhan ng pulis si Honey Lane Orendain, 36 taong gulang, ng pagnanakaw ng isang singsing na brilyante, isang pulseras, tatlong singsing, isang tanikalang pulseras, dalawang pares ng hikaw, isang palawit sa kuwintas at $5,000 na cash mula May 1, 2019 at June 12, 2022.

 

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Dininig ang kaso sa Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts.

Nahuli si Orendain matapos madiskubre ng amo niya na nawawala ang kanyang mga ari-arian na nakatago sa isang drawer sa kanyang silid-tulugan.

Matapos tumawag ng pulis, ipinahinalughog ng amo ang gamit ni Orendain at nakita ang dalawang resibo mula sa sanglaan.

 

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Hiniling ng abogado ni Orendain, na ina ng dalagitang 12 taong gulang, na patawan siya ng mas magaang na parusa dahil daw nagawa niya ang pagnanakaw upang matustusan ang pagpa-opera sa baga ang kanyang ina sa Pilipinas.

Kalaunan ay namatay din ang kanyang ina.

 

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Ayon din sa abogado, agad umamin sa krimen si Orendain noong iniimbestigahan pa ng pulis ang kaso.

At maliban sa kasong ito, malinis ang rekord niya sa apat na taon niyang agtatrabaho bilang domestic helper sa Hong Kong at dalawang taon sa Dubai.

 

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Pinagsisihan at ikinahihiya rin niya ang ginawa, at humingi na siya ng tawad sa kanyang amo dahil sa nagawa niyang pagkakasala dala ng mahigpit na pangangailangan, dagdag ng abugado.

Kinilala ni Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai ang maagang pag-amin ni Orendain, pero dahil sa krimeng ginawa niya, lalo na ang paglabag sa tiwala ng amo niya, hindi maiiwasan ang parusang pagkabilanggo.

 

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Nagsimula siya sa siyam na buwang pagkabilanggo bilang parusa sa pagnanakaw, na binawasan niya ng ikatlong bahagi, kaya naging anim na buwan ang sentensiya ni Orendain.

Iniutos rin ng huwes na ibalik sa pulis ang mga ebidensiyang ginamit sa korte upang maibalik sa may-ari. 

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Para sa OFW, ang banta ng Covid-19 ay nasa mismong tirahan

 

Karamihan sa bagong kaso ng Covid-19 ay taga-Hong Kong.

Nanawagan ngayon ang gobyerno ng Hong Kong sa publiko, kasama na ang mga domestic helper, na makipag-tulungan upang maiwasang mahawa sa Covid-19, ngayong dumarami ulit ang nagpo-positibo sa sakit.

Pero ayon sa mga nagbalita sa The SUN, ang mas higit na pag-iingat ay kailangan ng mga OFW sa mga bahay na kanilang pinaglilingkuran.

Ang dahilan: karamihan sa mga bagong kaso ng Covid-19 -- 2,611 sa  2,863 ang nag-positibo ngayong Lunes -- ay taga-Hong Kong at anim sa bawa’t sampu sa kanila ay naka-quarantine sa kanilang tirahan.

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Ilan mga mensaheng natanggap ng The SUN mula sa mga OFW ang nagsasalaysay ng kanilang pinag-daraanan o humihingi ng tulong dahil ang kanilang mga kasama sa bahay ay nag-positibo at natatakot silang mahawa.

“Magtanong lang po sana. Kasi ang pamilya ng employer ko halos positive na lahat. Yung among babae ko na lang po at ako ang hindi. Tama po ba na dito pa rin ako mag stay sa isang bahay kasama mga nag-positive po? Iisa ang CR at ang liit ng bahay,” pagsasalaysay ni Jenny (hindi tunay na pangalan).

Nangyari ito habang naka-abiso siyang aalis na sa amo. Pero dahil sa patakaran na hindi siya puwedeng bumaba hangga’t ang lahat ng mga kasama niya sa bahay ay magaling na, naiipit siya sa bahay ng amo.

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Wala rin siyang mapupuntahan dahil ayon din sa gobyerno, walang quarantine facility para sa mga taong kagaya niya na hindi nag-positive sa sakit.

Si Susan, na nag-positibo rin ang pamilyang pinaglilingkuran, ay natatakot mahawa. “Ako po ang nagsabi na ako na lang ang mag-isolate (sa kuwarto). Kasi po nasa labas naman sila. No work no pay na po basta hindi po ako mahawa,” ika niya.

Si Rossana (hindi tunay na pangalan) naman ay nagpositibo. “Pinag-iisipan ko kung magpa-isolate ako (sa quarantine facility) o dito na lang po mag-stay sa amo ko.”

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Nahawa siya sa matandang alaga niya na unang mag-positibo sa pamilya.  “Una po nagpositive yung kungkung nila. Hindi man lang nila inilipat ng lugar, tapos yung CR ng matanda araw araw pinalilinis sa akin. Siyempre nalalanghap ko.”

Kahit anong ingat ang ginawa niya, gaya ng pagsuot ng face mask at gloves kapag naglilinis ng kubeta nito, nahawa pa rin siya.

Ayon kay Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, dumarami rin ang dinadala sa ospital dahil malala ang lagay. Ngayon ay may mahigit 900 na ang nasa ospital. Tinataya niya na aabot sa 300 araw-araw ang dadalhin sa ospital bago matapos ang Hulyo, at malamang maging doble pa ito sa Agosto at  Setyembre.

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Kaya nanawagan ang gobyerno ng tulong ng publiko upang labanan ang sakit.

Kasabay nito  ang paghihigpit muli sa pagbabantay sa mga lugar na pinagtitipunan ng mga migranteng manggagawa upang masigurong sila ay may suot na face mask sa lahat ng oras na sila ay nasa labas, limitado sa apat na tao ang nakakumpol, walang nagtitinda ng pagkain, at sumusunod sa mga alituntunin laban sa sakit.

Para sa kampanyang ito, nagtutulungan ang Food and Environmental Health Department, Hong Kong Police Force, Labour Department, mga District Office, Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Immigration Department.

Ayon sa FEHD, ang kanilang operasyon laban sa bawal na pagtitinda ng pagkain ngayong taon ay nagbunga na ng 230 na nabigyan ng fixed oenalty notice (FPN), 12 na inihabla da iliegal na pagtitinda, at 283 na pagsamsam ng iniwang aninda.

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