Kei Cheong Building Materials Limited and Kai Wan Construction Engineering Limited were each fined $89,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (July 5) for violation of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Electricity) Regulations and the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.

     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on September 28, 2018 in Ngau Tau Kok. A worker, while dismantling chilled water pipes on the ceiling inside a shop under renovation, received an electric shock and collapsed. He was admitted to hospital and passed away a few days later.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 5) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From June 28 to July 4, the CHP recorded six imported DF cases. The patients had been to Malaysia (two cases), Maldives (two cases), Cambodia (one case) and Thailand (one case) during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (July 4), 73 cases had been recorded this year, all of which were imported. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (15), Malaysia (14) and Indonesia (12). 

     The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas. DF is endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. According to the World Health Organization, some Asian countries are experiencing unusually high numbers of DF cases for this time of year. The number of cases in several countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam was about two to four times the number for the same period in 2018.
 
     In Taiwan, 229 cases (including 37 local cases) have been recorded in 2019 (as of July 4). According to the health authority of Taiwan, the number of imported DF cases recorded so far this year was the highest compared to the number for the same period in the past 10 years.
 
     Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas this year has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf). 
          
     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control at all times:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body when doing outdoor activities.

    
     Members of the public must adopt personal protective measures against mosquitoes to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as DF when visiting affected countries/areas. To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Kwai Chung Hospital made the following announcement today (July 5):
 
     Three patients (aged 28 to 69) of a female psychiatric ward presented with upper respiratory tract symptoms since July 2. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Influenza A. Treatment is being given to the patients concerned, who are all in stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward and visiting have been suspended. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 5) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*). 

     Eleven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 17 as Fair (Grade 2) and 11 as Poor (Grade 3).

Grade 1 beaches are:
 

Grade 2 beaches are:
 

Grade 3 beaches are:
 

* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.

     Compared with the grading released last week, South Bay Beach and Upper Cheung Sha Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.

     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The Lands Department (LandsD) issued five pre-sale consents for residential developments in the second quarter of 2019.

     The five pre-sale consents for four residential developments (of which one is phased development) involve a total of 2 622 residential units. One development in Tai Po, comprising 723 residential units, is expected to be completed in 2020. Two developments in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun and two phases of one phased development in Tseung Kwan O, comprising a total of 1 899 residential units, are expected to be completed in 2021.

     The department also issued three consents to assign for residential developments in the second quarter of 2019. The three consents to assign involve a total of 3 162 residential units in Yuen Long, Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan.

     As at the end of June 2019, 25 applications for pre-sale consent for residential developments and three applications for pre-sale consent for non-residential developments are being processed.

     The 25 applications in respect of residential developments being processed involve a total of 10 767 residential units. Details are set out as follows:
 

 
     In addition, seven applications for consent to assign are being processed. The applications involve a total of 3 138 residential units and two commercial units.

     Members of the public can obtain up-to-date information on consents issued for the past quarter and cases pending approval as at the end of June 2019 by visiting the LandsD's website (www.landsd.gov.hk).

     Intending purchasers are advised to study carefully the details of the development and the sale procedures, through information available from public advertisements, and sales brochures and price lists released by the developer, before making a deposit for purchase. The sales brochure for a development also contains a summary of the provisions of the Deed of Mutual Covenant, including information on the common parts, the number of undivided shares assigned to each unit, the term of years for which the manager is appointed, the basis on which the management expenses are shared among the owners of the units, the basis on which the management fee deposit is fixed and the retained areas (if any), as well as a summary of the provisions of the government land grant, which intending purchasers are recommended to read carefully.