Author Archives: hksar gov

     A total of 624 additional cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection were reported to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) in 2018, compared with 681 in 2017.
                           
     Reviewing the HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) situation in Hong Kong at a press conference today (February 26), the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the CHP, Dr Kenny Chan, said that sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission.
 
     Dr Chan stressed the importance of consistent and proper use of condoms in reducing the risk of contracting HIV.
 
     “HIV is the cause of AIDS and, without treatment, about half of HIV-infected people will progress to AIDS within 10 years. On the contrary, HIV treatment prevents AIDS and significantly prolongs survival,” he remarked.
 
     “Members of the public with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV antibody test early. They can call the DH’s AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test. HIV-positive people should seek specialist care as soon as possible,” Dr Chan said.
 
     Of the 624 newly added HIV cases, 530 males and 94 females, reported in 2018, 363 (58 per cent) acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact, 138 (22 per cent) via heterosexual contact, and three (0.5 per cent) via drug injection. The routes of transmission of the remaining 120 cases have yet to be determined due to inadequate information.
 
     In the fourth quarter of 2018, 172 new cases of HIV infection were reported, taking the cumulative total of HIV infections reported locally to 9 715 since 1984.
 
     Of the 172 HIV cases, involving 148 males and 24 females, reported in the above quarter, 96 acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact and 33 via heterosexual contact and two via drug injection. The routes of transmission of the remaining 41 cases have yet to be determined due to inadequate information.
 
     The new cases of the above quarter were mainly reported by three major sources: public hospitals and clinics (80 cases); private hospitals, clinics and laboratories (30 cases); and AIDS service organisations (25 cases).
 
     Of the newly reported cases in the above quarter, 128 of them (74 per cent) have already received HIV specialist services at the DH or the Hospital Authority.
 
     In addition, 37 new cases of AIDS were reported in the above quarter, of which 19 cases (51 per cent) were attributed to homosexual or bisexual contact and 13 cases (35 per cent) were related to heterosexual contact. Since 1985, a cumulative total of 1 996 confirmed AIDS cases have been reported in Hong Kong.
 
     In the above quarter, the most common AIDS-defining illness was Pneumocystis pneumonia, a kind of chest infection.
   
     The public may visit these pages for more information on HIV/AIDS: the DH’s Virtual AIDS Office (www.aids.gov.hk), the Red Ribbon Centre (www.rrc.gov.hk), the AIDS Hotline website (www.27802211.com) and the Gay Men HIV Information website (www.21171069.com).

  

     China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited (CSCE) was caught illegally discharging substandard wastewater into the communal storm drain at its construction site on Ma On Shan Road. The company was fined $20,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (February 26) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during an inspection at a construction site of CSCE on Ma On Shan Road in June last year, the enforcement officers found that muddy water was generated when a worker of the site was washing the wheels of construction vehicles. The muddy water was not properly treated before being discharged directly into the storm drain outside the site. The EPD then collected a muddy water sample for analysis, and the result showed that the concentration of the suspended solids greatly exceeded the statutory limit by about 123 times. The department subsequently prosecuted CSCE in accordance with the WPCO.

     The spokesman pointed out that all construction site contractors must install suitable wastewater treatment facilities to collect and treat the wastewater generated in the construction sites. They also have to maintain the effective operation of the facilities to ensure that all discharges meet the relevant standards and prevent them from polluting the river channels, sewers or shorelines.

     Under the WPCO, it is an offence for anyone to discharge wastewater into the communal drainage system or a water body. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. A maximum fine of $400,000 and six months’ imprisonment may be imposed on subsequent convictions. read more

     Hongkong Post announced today (February 26) that, as advised by the postal administration of Australia, mail delivery services to Queensland (postcodes 4804 to 4899) have returned to normal. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hos… read more

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (February 27). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site. read more