CHP investigates case of severe paediatric COVID-19 infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 7) received a report of a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 infection and reminded the public to observe personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. High-risk individuals should receive COVID-19 booster doses to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
The case involves a 5-year-old boy with underlying illness, who developed a fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath and wheezing since April 4. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department ofTseung Kwan O Hospital on the following day and was hospitalised. The patient was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of United Christian Hospital on the same day due to deterioration in his condition. His respiratory specimen tested positive for COVID-19 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 infection complicated with croup. He remains hospitalised in critical condition.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not completed the initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. He had no travel history during the incubation period, and his school has not experienced any recent outbreak of COVID-19. One of his household contacts has recently developed cough and has sought medical attention.
"There has been a recent increase in the activity of COVID-19 in the local community. In the past three weeks, the load of SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the percentage of specimens testing positive and the average consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise. As of March 29, the viral load per capita of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 330 000 copy/litre, which was significantly higher than the previous week ending March 15, when it was 85 000 copy/litre," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
"High-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Genetic analysis has shown that the predominant circulating strains in Hong Kong are still JN.1 and its descendant lineages, and the vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent the related variant. Scientific data shows that timely booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk persons help lower the risk of severe illness and death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities) should receive a booster dose as soon as possible for effective prevention against COVID-19," Dr Tsui added.
Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent infection of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses as well as transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times and note the following:
Patients can wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses. Therefore, it is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
Practise hand hygiene frequently, wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
Maintain good indoor ventilation;
Avoid sharing personal items;
When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider to refrain from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP's website.
Opening remarks by SITI at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting
Following are the opening remarks (English translation) by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 11):
Chairman, Members,
Technological and industrial innovations are the fundamental pathways for developing new quality productive forces. This year's Budget continues to place focus on accelerating Hong Kong's high-quality development through the promotion of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) development and announced various new initiatives to lead Hong Kong steadily towards our vision of becoming an international I&T centre. I will give an overview of the relevant key measures along three directions.
(1) To enhance the I&T ecosystem and promote "new industrialisation" in Hong Kong and to enlarge the I&T talent pool to create strong impetus for growth
Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the core of accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, and we are endeavouring to develop AI as a core industry. The Budget has set aside $1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute, which will spearhead and support Hong Kong’s innovative research & development (R&D) and industrial applications of AI. Furthermore, Cyberport's Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre (AISC) has commenced operation, and with the support of the Government's Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme, several R&D projects related to large language models, large models in new materials and synthetic biology that utilise the AISC's computing power have already started.
On promoting the development of I&T industries, we launched the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme and enhanced the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme last year. Also, the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund is under preparation, and we plan to seek funding approval from the Legislative Council in the middle of this year. Furthermore, we will launch the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme this year to provide funding of up to $250,000 each on a 1(Government) : 2(Company) matching basis to enterprises operating production lines in Hong Kong to support their formulation of smart production strategies and introduction of advanced technologies into existing production lines. We are also preparing for the launch of the Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme to further strengthen the support to start-ups.
To promote R&D, we are taking forward the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster, which will focus on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy and sustainable development, and have established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre under the InnoHK Research Clusters, with the aim of developing a robot which will contribute to the Chang'E-8 mission. The Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute is preparing the set-up of two pilot lines at the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long this year, striving to put them into operation next year to support product development and trial production. Furthermore, we have invited institutions to submit proposals for the Subsidy Programme for the Setup of Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s), and will also seek funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in the middle of this year for the implementation of the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme.
As for I&T land, the Government is taking forward the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park) at full steam. The Hong Kong Park is developed in two phases from west to east. With the first three buildings in Phase 1 approaching completion, the Park will officially enter into its operational phase later this year. The construction of the other five buildings is in full swing and is expected to be completed progressively from 2027 onwards. As for the remaining sites of Phase 1, we will identify suitable land parcels for invitation of private development proposals this year, with a view to taking forward the development of the Park with enhanced speed and quantity through collaboration between the Government and the market. In addition, $3.7 billion has been earmarked in the Budget to expedite the completion of infrastructure and public facilities of Phase 1 of the Park. At the same time, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue to work with relevant Mainland authorities to explore the implementation of innovative policy measures, with a view to promoting the convenient cross-boundary flow of innovation elements.
The San Tin Technopole of the Northern Metropolis will serve as a strategic key for the I&T industry planning and the base for developing new quality productive forces of Hong Kong in the future. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation is conducting a master planning study for the first batch of 20-hectare land. The study is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year. The Government commenced the re-zoning procedures for a 10-hectare site at Sandy Ridge for use as data centres and related facilities in end-2024, and is actively making preparations for land disposal to fulfil the needs of the industry for digital infrastructure.
(2) To promote digital economy development and develop Hong Kong into a smart city
The Government is committed to providing more efficient public services to citizens through leveraging technology. The "iAM Smart" has over 3.3 million registered users and over 1 100 online services and e-forms provided by the Government and public and private organisations. We are driving the comprehensive upgrade of "iAM Smart" to realise "single portal for online government services" by the end of this year. Meanwhile, The "Digital Corporate Identity" Platform will be rolled out progressively from end-2026, with a view to facilitating digital transformation of corporations and enhancing government departments’ efficiency in processing corporate online applications.
In addition, the Digital Policy Office will continue to co-ordinate all bureaux and departments to use the HKPilot developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center on a trial basis, and gradually increase the number of participants in the pilot programme. This will help reduce the manpower required of government personnel to handle general document processing tasks, allowing manpower to be deployed to other areas of need.
(3) To proactively integrate into the overall development of the country and consolidate our role as a bridge connecting the Mainland and the world
Hong Kong will continue to deepen I&T co-operation with the Mainland for better integrating into overall national development. Regarding cross-boundary data flow, the "Standard Contract for the Cross-boundary Flow of Personal Information Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Mainland, Hong Kong)" facilitation measure has been extended to all industries, promoting the safe and orderly cross-boundary flow of personal information within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In addition, Cyberport has been actively collaborating with the Qianhai Management Authority to facilitate the landing of start-up enterprises at respective parks, and the World Intellectual Property Organization Global Innovation Index 2025 Science and Technology Cluster Launch will be held in Hong Kong later this year.
Conclusion
With our country's staunch support, Hong Kong has been making steady progress towards our vision of developing into an international I&T centre. The Government will continue to deploy resources and join hands with stakeholders to promote the development of a vibrant I&T ecosystem. I would like to express my gratitude to all Members again for their support of I&T development all along. I appeal for the continual support of Members and the public for the work of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau. Thank you, Chairman.
