A public rental housing (PRH) tenant was sentenced to imprisonment for making a false statement that he did not own any domestic property in Hong Kong. A spokesman for the Housing Department (HD) today (May 16) reminded residents of PRH estates to declare truthfully their income and assets.

     A PRH resident living at Ap Lei Chau Estate in Hong Kong declared in a 2022 Income and Assets Declaration Form that he did not have any domestic property ownership in Hong Kong. A subsequent investigation revealed that this resident solely owned a domestic property in Tsuen Wan at the material time.

     This resident was prosecuted for knowingly making a false statement, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance. He was convicted in Eastern Magistrates' Courts on May 14. Given the gravity of the offence, the defendant was sentenced to two months' imprisonment (suspended for 12 months). The HD has issued a notice-to-quit to this PRH tenant to recover the subject PRH flat.

     The spokesman seriously reminded all households living in PRH to complete their Income and Assets Declaration Forms accurately, as doing so provides the foundation for the assessment of rent and their eligibilities for continuing residence. Before furnishing particulars specified in the requisition required by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, households should read the content and completion guidelines of the Income and Assets Declaration Forms carefully and compute their income and assets in accordance with the methods specified. Otherwise, they may be prosecuted for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance. Once convicted, the maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for six months. Households may also be prosecuted for neglecting to furnish information as specified in a declaration form, contrary to Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance, and if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $25,000 fine and imprisonment for three months. The HD will take action to recover the undercharged rent incurred due to the inaccurate information or even recover their PRH units.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) made the following announcement today (May 16):

     A 91-year-old female patient in a rehabilitation and extended care ward of WTSH was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on May 10. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing. Three more patients (aged 81 to 95) were found to be VRE carriers. Two of the patients are currently being treated in isolation and are in stable condition. The remaining patients have been discharged.

     The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned:

1. Isolation of VRE cases and application of stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection; and
3. Enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.

     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 16) investigating two cases of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.

     The first case involves a 6-year-old girl with underlying diseases. She developed a fever and cough on May 9 and sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day. She was taken to the accident and emergency department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital for medical attention on May 12 due to the worsening of symptoms and was admitted the same day. She was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further management on May 14. She is now in critical condition. Her home contacts are currently asymptomatic.
 
     The second case involves a 6-year-old girl with good past health. She developed a fever and cough with sputum on May 12 and shortness of breath yesterday (May 15). She was taken to the accident and emergency department of United Christian Hospital for medical attention on the same day. She was admitted to a general paediatric ward of the hospital this morning and was subsequently transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit for further management. She is now in serious condition. One of her home contacts is currently symptomatic. 

     The patients' respiratory specimens were positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis for both of them was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the two patients had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. The CHP's investigations into the two cases are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at a higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The 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;
• 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;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at 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.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.

     A luncheon panel discussion entitled "Hong Kong: A Vibrant Tech Hub for Startups and Corporates" was held in Tokyo, Japan, today (May 16) to promote Hong Kong's dynamic business environment and proactive approach to innovation and technology (I&T).

     Co-organised by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), the panel discussion is a side event of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program, a global start-up event being held from May 15 to 16.

     InvestHK Senior Vice President (Startups), Mr Lu Chin-yung, introduced Hong Kong's vibrant and dynamic start-up ecosystem, noting that according to the results of InvestHK's 2023 Startup Survey, start-ups in Hong Kong continued to flourish, with the number of start-ups reaching a record high of 4 257, up 272 from the previous year. He added that these start-ups spanned across various business sectors such as financial technology, e-commerce, supply chain management and logistics technology.

     Other panelists included HKSTP Business Development Senior Manager Mr Isaac Tse, who introduced the HKSTP's programmes and support for start-ups; representatives of three start-ups from Hong Kong who shared their experiences in setting up and starting businesses in Hong Kong; and the Chief Commercial Officer of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Mr Teddy Lui, who introduced how the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund is creating a sustainable impact on Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem, empowers start-ups and supports innovation and technology in Hong Kong and across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     The Hong Kong Pavilion at the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program was set up by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and InvestHK at Tokyo Big Sight, a convention and exhibition centre in Tokyo. It brings together 20 Hong Kong start-ups to present their business, services and products, and serves as a platform for them to seek business opportunities and collaboration on a global scale. It also introduces to Japanese and international business communities Hong Kong's dynamic business environment and vibrant and diverse start-up ecosystem as well as its active approach to I&T.

        

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, had separate meetings with delegations led by Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission Mr Li Ang and the Director of the Health Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, Dr Lo Iek-long, today (May 16) to explore ways of strengthening co-operation in the area of healthcare.  

     During the meetings, Professor Lo and the delegations introduced their respective work progress and achievements attained lately in relation to healthcare development, and shared experiences on achieving the high-quality development of public hospitals with a view to drawing concerted efforts in enhancing healthcare quality and contributing to the national strategy of "Healthy China".

     Professor Lo said, "The Health Bureau has been maintaining close connection with health departments in various places, including Beijing and Macao, and continuously exploring collaboration in multiple areas and aspects of healthcare. Among others, we are discussing with Beijing various forms of talent exchange programmes and finalising the details of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with the Macao SAR Government. The Ambulance Transfer arrangement will provide point-to-point direct transfer service between hospitals of the two places for patients with specific needs. Looking ahead, we will continue to build closer co-operation relationship with the Mainland and Macao on the basis of complementarity and mutual benefits, thereby enhancing the healthcare services of various places as a whole for the benefit of the public."

     The delegations of Beijing and the Macao SAR also attended the Hospital Authority (HA) Convention during their visits to Hong Kong.

     The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan; and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, also joined some of the meetings today.