The Mainland epidemiological expert delegation that is assisting Hong Kong in tackling the fifth wave of the epidemic today (February 21) continued its visit.
 
     The expert delegation and representatives of the Department of Health (DH) visited laboratories of the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong this morning. They discussed with Professor Leo Poon and his team the application of genome sequencing in epidemiological investigation and analyses. This was followed by a meeting among the Deputy Director General of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhang Yurun; the expert delegation; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui.
 
     The expert delegation will extend their stay in Hong Kong and support the epidemiological investigation work of the CHP of the DH in the next few days until February 28.
 
     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will spare no effort and leverage the Central Government's experience and guidance in fighting the epidemic and fully utilise the Central Government's support in manpower and resources, with a view to enhancing the capability in epidemiological investigation and analyses. I am grateful for the extended stay of the Mainland epidemiological expert delegation to offer guidance and assist Hong Kong in conducting epidemiological investigations and analyses."
 
     Dr Lam expressed gratitude to the Central People's Government and the Government of Guangdong Province for their swift and extensive support to the HKSAR. He also thanked the expert delegation for their inspection into the epidemiological investigation and various anti-epidemic measures over the past few days. He said that the DH, being the Government's health adviser and the agency that executes health policies, will continue to provide scientific and precise anti-epidemic advice to the HKSAR Government. The DH endeavours to stabilise the epidemic situation to protect Hong Kong people's lives, safety and health. The meeting also discussed the epidemiological characteristics of the fifth wave of the epidemic and the preliminary observations by the expert delegation.
 
     Mainland members of the task force of epidemiologists are experts from the Guangdong Province, Guangzhou and Zhongshan. They arrived in Hong Kong on February 17.

Ends/Monday, February 21, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:46

NNNN