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Over 3.1k virus cases identified

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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
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Legislative control set for cannabidiol

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The Customs & Excise Department today announced that new legislative control of cannabidiol (CBD) will come into effect on February 1, thereby placing CBD under the same strict control as other dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance from that day.   It explained that starting February 1 onwards, the importation of such products, including food or drinks containing CBD, into Hong Kong will be prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the ordinance are complied with.   As such, the public is advised not bring any cannabis products or products containing CBD into the city.   To avoid breaching the law inadvertently, people should refrain from buying any CBD products and take notice of whether the products' packaging and labels contain wordings of CBD or tetrahydrocannabinol when making such purchases.   Noting that vigorous enforcement action will be taken to combat the related drug trafficking activities, the department said it will step up enforcement act
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Dec exports value down 28.9%

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The value of Hong Kong's exports fell to $348.1 billion in December, down 28.9% compared with the same month in 2021, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports dropped 23.5% to $399.7 billion for the same period.   A visible trade deficit of $51.6 billion, or 12.9% of the value of imports, was recorded for the month.        For 2022 as a whole, the value of total goods exports dropped 8.6% over 2021, and that of imports decreased 7.2%.   A visible trade deficit of $395.8 billion, or 8% of the value of imports, was recorded in 2022.        Comparing the fourth quarter of 2022 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports decreased 7% while that of imports dropped 6.5%.   Total exports to Asia as a whole dropped 29.2% in December when compared with the same month last year. Decreases were also registered in exports to major destinations in other regions, in particular Germany, the UK and US for t
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Bringing AI into classrooms

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is being hailed as the new frontier in technology and the Education Bureau is wasting no time to nurture Hong Kong’s next generation of AI talent. To do this, it will launch in phases the Module on Artificial Intelligence for Junior Secondary Level in the first half of this year for schools to adopt before the 2024-25 academic year.   The module covers the basic concepts of AI, ethics, computer vision, computer speech, virtual reality, robotics, as well as the impact of AI on society. Six to seven lessons will be respectively added to the curriculum of Secondary 1 to 3 students.   Education Bureau Principal Assistant Secretary (Curriculum Support) Edith Tse said the module can promote AI education in a more comprehensive and systematic way.   “AI is now a very hot topic. By incorporating this element into our education, students will understand the impact of innovation & technology (I&T) in improving daily life and promoting social and economi
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1.9k COVID-19 cases found 

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The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 1,950 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 455 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,495 via rapid antigen tests.   Separately, 37 imported cases were detected.   Furthermore, 22 residential care homes for the elderly and two for disabled people logged 33 cases involving their residents and two staff infections.   The Hospital Authority reported that 36 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death of 18 patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 18 patients was unrelated.   It also registered 11 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 130.   For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government’s dedicated webpage. http://dlvr.it/ShMCf2
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Over 2.2k virus cases identified

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The Centre for Health Protection today said it is probing 2,230 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 486 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,744 via rapid antigen tests.   Separately, 41 imported cases were detected.   Furthermore, eight residential care homes for the elderly and three for disabled people logged 11 cases involving their residents and two staff infections.   The Hospital Authority reported that 49 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death of 20 patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 29 patients was unrelated.   It also registered eight more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 126.   For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage. http://dlvr.it/ShLnjz
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2.6k coronavirus cases reported

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The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 2,676 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 638 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 2,038 via rapid antigen tests.   Separately, 61 imported cases were detected.   Furthermore, nine residential care homes for the elderly and three for disabled people logged 22 cases involving their residents and two staff infections.   The Hospital Authority reported that 37 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death of 13 patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 24 patients was unrelated.   It also registered 11 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 134.   For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government’s dedicated webpage. http://dlvr.it/ShHzJt
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