Chairman's Announcement (24 Mar 2020)

Act together against COVID-19

In view of the COVID-19 epidemic situation, the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection strongly urges all staff and students to adopt the health advice of the Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, to protect yourself and each other.

1. Maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
2. Maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives. In particular, they should go out less and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings to reduce the chance of contacting infected persons, who may not present any symptoms, and minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community.
3. As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps); cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use; after using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.
4. Avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
5. For the home confinees and their household members, please follow the Centre for Health Protection's home quarantine guidelines.

Starting from 23 March, the University has revised work arrangements and only limited services will be provided by the departments/units until further notice. Staff and students are reminded to stay vigilant, keep good hygiene practices and maintain social distancing to minimise the risk of contracting and spreading the disease.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

• Government's "COVID-19 Thematic Website"
• CUHK's "Act Together Against COVID-19" website

Chairman's Announcement (5 Mar 2020)

Latest Overseas Situation of COVID-19 and Revised Reporting Criteria for Suspected Cases of COVID-19

In view of the COVID-19 outbreak in certain countries/areas, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged the public against travelling to Hubei Province where there is widespread community transmission of COVID-19 virus, and to avoid unnecessary travel to other provinces/cities of Mainland China, Iran, Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto regions) and Korea.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection would like to advise the University members to avoid unnecessary travel. When travelling to countries/areas with community transmission of COVID-19 virus, they should avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong.

In light of the latest situation of COVID-19 overseas, CHP has updated the reporting criteria to enhance surveillance of suspected cases. Medical practitioners are requested to report to the CHP any individual fulfilling the following for further investigation:

• Presented with fever or acute respiratory illness or pneumonia; and
• Either one of the following conditions within 14 days before onset of symptom:
  1. With travel history to a place with active community transmission of COVID-19; or
  2. Had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

• Government's "COVID-19 Thematic Website"
• Centre for Health Protection's "Countries/areas with reported cases of COVID-19"
• Statutory notifiable infectious diseases in the First Schedule to the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599)

Chairman's Announcement (5 Feb 2020)

Online submission of Health Declaration Form and Self-medical Surveillance Form

The University has taken measures to require completion of the Health Declaration Form and Self-medical Surveillance Form by students/staff under applicable circumstances.

Online Health Declaration Form and Self-medical Surveillance Form are now available for use. Those with difficulty in making online submission should consult the warden/supervisor for alternative means of submission.

Students/staff should also refer to separate announcements by the Colleges/Faculties/Units, if any, in addition to the above requirements. Students/staff of the Faculty of Medicine will continue to follow the Faculty’s announced arrangements for online submission of the forms.

Chairman's Announcement (26 Jan 2020)

Activation of Emergency Response Level on University Campus

The University has activated the Emergency Response Level on campus to tie in with the Government elevating the response level to Emergency under the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance. A series of special measures will be implemented to enhance infection control on campus.

University members are advised to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection, and take heed of the following preventive measures under the Emergency Response Level:

1. All personnel should wear a surgical mask, particularly in crowded areas such as public spaces and school buses.
2. Local students residing in university hostels are encouraged to stay at/return home. Those who need to stay at university hostels are required to fill in the health declaration form and the self-medical surveillance form on a mandatory basis. If any hostel resident has developed fever and/or respiratory symptoms, the Warden should be notified for arranging medical intervention and informing the information coordinator of Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP). No visitor is allowed in all student hostels.
3. Hostel and public area cleansing processes will be escalated to the highest level.
4. A fever clinic will be set up in the University Health Service, starting from 29 January 2020.

For enquiries, please call our CHPP Information Co-ordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

To further understand the preventive measures of various units of the University, please refer to the Emergency Response Level on CHPP website.

CHPP Preventive Recommendations: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/preventive_recommendations.html

Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health:
Fact sheet on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent

Chairman's Announcement (23 Jan 2020)

Update on pneumonia cases of novel coronavirus infection

As of 22 January 2020, 12:00 noon, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has received reports of a total of 135 suspected cases fulfilling the reporting criteria. 97 reported cases have been ruled out as novel coronavirus infection and were discharged already. The remaining 38 cases were hospitalised including 2 cases with preliminary positive results for novel coronavirus.

As of 23 January 2020, 9am, according to the National Health Commission and health authorities of overseas countries, the global number of cases is 579 (Mainland China: 571, other countries/areas: 8). Among the 571 cases in Mainland China, 95 cases were in serious condition and 17 were fatal cases. Some countries and provinces in the Mainland, such as Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea and United States, have reported cases of novel coronavirus infection, but there is so far no evidence of possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection in these countries/areas.

In view of the latest situation and risk assessment, the CHP will enhance surveillance of suspected cases and revise the reporting criteria of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. The University Health Service will follow the revised reporting criteria and closely monitor the health surveillance on campus. The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) continues to monitor the latest development and take appropriate prevention and control measures according to the CHP's recommendations.

1. Cleaning is stepped up throughout the campus. School buses, toilets, public and hostel areas have already increased the frequency of daily cleanings. Frontline staff of security, school bus drivers and EMO staff will wear masks while on duty.
2. Health declaration form and self-medical surveillance form (with immediate effect)
   • When returning to hostel after travelling abroad, students are required to fill in the health declaration form and monitor their health status using the self-medical surveillance form for 14 days.
   • When returning to work after travelling abroad, supervisor can advise staff to fill in the health declaration form and monitor their health status using the self-medical surveillance form for 14 days, if necessary.
   • For medical assistance, please call our CHPP Information Co-ordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.
3. Our university has launched the medical surveillance, all cases of suspected or confirmed pneumonia cases of novel coronavirus infection should be reported to our CHPP Information Co-ordinator. The university will make appropriate arrangements accordingly.

All university members are reminded to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection:

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

Please take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:

• Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible transmission of the novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease.

For enquiries, please call our CHPP Information Co-ordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

To further understand the preventive measures of various units of the University, please refer to the Serious Response Level on CHPP website.

CHPP Preventive Recommendations: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/preventive_recommendations.html

Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health:

• Fact sheet on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent
• Information on the affected countries/areas
• Latest local situation of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent

Chairman's Announcement (6 Jan 2020)

Government activated Serious Response Level in response to the Cluster of Pneumonia Cases in Wuhan

In view of the cluster of viral pneumonia cases with unknown cause in Wuhan, the Government launched the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance and activated the Serious Response Level on 4 January 2020. Under the Serious Response Level, the immediate health impact caused by Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance on local population was assessed to be moderate. The University Health Service will closely monitor the health surveillance on campus.

To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, it is essential to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. When travelling outside Hong Kong, avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. Wear surgical masks and seek medical attention if present with fever or respiratory symptoms, and reveal your travel history to doctors.

Please take heed of the following health advice:

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretion after coughing or sneezing;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Clean objects thoroughly and frequently with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water), followed by rinsing or wiping with clean water;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

For the latest information, please visit the webpage of Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health:

• Enhanced surveillance for the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan of Hubei
• Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance (2020), HKSAR Government

• Chairman's Announcement (2016)
• Chairman's Announcement (2017)
• Chairman's Announcement (2018)
• Chairman's Announcement (2019)