Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, chaired the second meeting of the Commission on Children (Commission) today (October 30).
 
     The Commission agreed to establish four Working Groups to render full support for the Commission to take forward its committed work programmes. Apart from the agreement at the first meeting of the Commission to establish two Working Groups to focus on research, public engagement, public education and publicity, the Commission agreed to establish two additional Working Groups, one on children with special needs and the other on children protection.
 
     “The two additional Working Groups will respectively help review services and support for children with special needs and on children protection, as well as identify areas for improvement and recommend measures to bridge any service gaps on relevant support services. With the establishment of the four Working Groups, this would facilitate Members’ more in-depth discussions on particular issues and formulation of practical proposals for the Commission’s consideration. It would provide an effective mechanism for the Commission to address a host of priority issues for the early benefits of children,” Mr Cheung said.
 
     Meanwhile, the meeting noted the measures related to school education, parent education and home-school co-operation regarding play time for children. These measures include emphasising “child-centredness” as the core value of the curriculum, and adopting the approach of “learning through play” as a learning and teaching strategy at the kindergarten stage. For the stage of primary schools, schools and parents are encouraged to leave suitable room and time for students/children to decide on their schedule for the development of multiple talents. There is also active promotion of parent education and home-school co-operation to enable parents to better understand the characteristics of children’s growth and learning and to give their children appropriate care and support.
 
     The meeting also noted the efforts made by the Government in providing diversified, innovative and interesting outdoor play areas for children to have fun and enjoyment, develop their mind and body, and enhance their interaction with others. Major examples include ushering in new design concepts and bringing local community involvement in the design process, and organising creative and diversified activities in parks including collaboration with non-governmental organisations to enhance the play experience of children.
 
     The meeting also noted the support measures in the education of children of ethnic minorities, in particular in supporting schools and non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students to learn the Chinese language systematically, as well as providing multiple pathways for NCS students. These measures include continuing to implement and refine the Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework (Learning Framework); continuing to commission tertiary institutions to provide school-based professional support service for schools admitting NCS students to enhance teachers’ professional capability; adapting the school-based curriculum, learning and teaching strategies and assessments with reference to the Learning Framework; and providing additional resources to assist schools in stepping up support for NCS students. read more

     Hipmex Form Work Construction Company Limited was fined $40,000 at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (October 30) for violation of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.

     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred at a construction site in Sheung Wan in which a worker was found dead at the bottom of a lift shaft on October 20, 2017. It was believed that on October 17, 2017, the deceased fell from the opening of the lift shaft on 19th floor to the bottom of the lift shaft in the course of work. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 30) investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     The male patient, aged 55 with underlying illness, who lives in a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Hung Hom, has developed fever since yesterday and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment on the same day. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is in a stable condition.
 
     The patient’s urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history in the incubation period.

     “Epidemiological investigations with the RCHE are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs will be collected from potential sources for testing,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Tracing of contacts including staff and residents in the RCHE where the patient stayed is ongoing and those identified will be put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and residents, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Persons with weakened immunity should strictly observe the health advice below:
 

1. Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
2. Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
3. If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public, including susceptible groups, should take heed of the general precautions against LD below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute the infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     More information is available in the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:      The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed today (October 30) the applications for fare increases from the Citybus Limited (Franchise for Hong Kong… read more

      The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (October 30) welcomed the publication of the annual report of the Process Review Panel for the Securities and Futures Commission (PRP), which covers the work of the PRP in 2017… read more