The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a female Medical Ward, the spokesperson for Tung Wah Eastern Hospital made the following announcement today (January 11):
 
     One more 91-year-old female patient's test result was confirmed positive for Influenza A (H3) yesterday (January 10). The patient has been discharged upon recovery.
 
     Admission to the ward concerned will continue to be suspended and 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for New Territories West Cluster made the following announcement today (January 11):
 
     Four patients (aged 60 to 72) and a staff member in a female forensic psychiatric ward in Castle Peak Hospital presented with respiratory symptoms since January 7. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Influenza A (H1). The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition. The staff member has recovered and resumed duty.
 
     Furthermore, regarding the earlier announcement by Siu Lam Hospital on a cluster of patients infected with Parainfluenza Virus Type 2 in a male ward for severe intellectual disability, one more 60-year-old patient in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results were positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 2. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the wards concerned in the two hospitals has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the wards 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.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements on Hong Kong Island on January 14 (Monday) to facilitate the holding of the Ceremonial Opening of Legal Year 2019.

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented between 6am and 11.59pm:       
     
Road closure
————

– Northern section of Edinburgh Place north of City Hall; and

– Western kerbside lane of eastern section of northbound Edinburgh Place between City Hall Car Park and the northern section of Edinburgh Place.

Traffic diversions
——————

     Traffic along northbound Edinburgh Place cannot turn left to westbound Edinburgh Place.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (January 13) to facilitate a public order event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 4am to 11.15am:
     
Road closure
————

1. Part of the slow lane of southbound Man Yiu Street;
2. Yiu Sing Street;
3. Lung Wo Road, except the slow lane of westbound Lung Wo Road between Tim Wa Avenue and Edinburgh Place;
4. The general pick-up/drop-off and loading/unloading area on Lung Wo Road north of Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park;
5. Road A2;
6. Eastbound Road P2;
7. Northbound Road D11;
8. Legislative Council Road, except for vehicles heading to Legislative Complex;
9. The slow lane of eastbound Lung Wui Road; and
10. The fast lane of northbound Edinburgh Place east of City Hall.

Traffic diversions
——————

1. Traffic along southbound Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to Lung Wo Road;
2. Traffic along southbound Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to Yiu Sing Street;
3. Traffic along eastbound Man Cheung Street cannot enter Lung Wo Road and will be diverted via Man Yiu Street;
4. Traffic along eastbound Man Po Street cannot enter Yiu Sing Street and will be diverted via Man Yiu Street;
5. Traffic along northbound Edinburgh Place east of City Hall cannot enter Lung Wo Road;
6. Traffic along eastbound Lung Wui Road cannot enter westbound Lung Wo Road;
7. Traffic along westbound Fenwick Pier Street cannot enter westbound Lung Wo Road; and
8. Traffic along eastbound Lung Wo Road heading for Lung Wui Road will be diverted via southbound Man Yiu Street, eastbound Connaught Place, southbound Connaught Place, eastbound Connaught Road Central, eastbound Harcourt Road and northbound Tim Mei Avenue.

Suspension of parking spaces
—————————-

     All motorcycle parking spaces at general pick-up/drop-off and loading/unloading area on Lung Wo Road north of Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park will be suspended.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts mentioned above will be towed away without prior warning.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 11) investigating an influenza A outbreak at a primary school in Kowloon City, and again reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene against influenza.
 
     The outbreak involves five boys and 13 girls aged 6 to 9, as well as two female staff members, who have developed fever, cough and sore throat since January 5. All of them sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition.

     The respiratory specimens of two affected students tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and advised the school to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory infections. The school has been put under medical surveillance.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "To prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections, it is of prime importance that children with fever, regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms, should not be allowed to attend school. They should seek medical advice and avoid school till 48 hours after the fever has subsided. Schools should also measure and record students' body temperature properly."

     Schools are reminded to follow the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases on preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks, which should be reported to the CHP for prompt follow-up.
 
     "Hong Kong has entered the 2018-19 winter influenza season. We anticipate that local seasonal influenza activity will continue to rise in the coming weeks and remain at an elevated level for some time. Members of the public should remain vigilant for protection against influenza," the spokesman said.

     Particularly, children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. They should promptly seek medical advice if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible for personal protection, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.