â€‹Hongkong Post today (October 3) alerted members of the public to a fraudulent Facebook page named "HongkongPost – Parcel distribution" purportedly issued by Hongkong Post. 

     Hongkong Post clarifies that it has no connection with the above fraudulent Facebook page on distributing unclaimed parcels. Members of the public are urged to be discerning to ascertain the authenticity of online information. In addition, Hongkong Post will not send embedded hyperlinks via social media pages, SMS messages or emails for collecting payment or personal information.

     Hongkong Post has reported the case to the Police for investigation. For enquiries or to confirm the authenticity of a social media page, members of the public are advised to contact Hongkong Post at the General Enquiry Hotline 2921 2222 or hkpo@hkpo.gov.hk.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 3) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     From September 24 to 30, seven community-acquired LD cases were reported:
 
     1. A male patient, aged 76 with underlying illnesses, who lived in Four Pearls Building, 5 Tsing Pak Path, Tuen Mun. The patient passed away on September 25;
     2. A male patient, aged 58 with good past health, who lives in Yung Yuen House, Chuk Yuen North Estate, Wong Tai Sin;
     3. A male patient, aged 50 with underlying illnesses, who lives in 21 Pitt Street, Yau Ma Tei;
     4. A male patient, aged 70 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Moon House, 4-12 Hei Yuen Street, Tai Po;
     5. A male patient, aged 87 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block 1, Verbena Heights, Tseung Kwan O;
     6. A male patient, aged 64 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block 4, Hong Sing Garden, Tseung Kwan O; and
     7. A male patient, aged 70 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Wah Sin House, Wah Kwai Estate, Pok Fu Lam.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     As of September 30, 93 LD cases had been reported this year. In 2022 and 2021, there were 80 and 69 cases respectively.
 
     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.
 
     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 become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
 
     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• 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 should observe the health advice 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 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 water (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.

     The public may visit 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. 

     A Vietnamese illegal worker, holding a recognisance form, was jailed by Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on September 30.

     During an anti-illegal worker operation conducted on September 28, the Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a restaurant in Kwai Chung. A Vietnamese female, aged 43, was arrested while working as an odd-job worker. Upon identity checking, she produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits her from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that she was a non-refoulement claimant. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was also arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
 
     The illegal worker was charged at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on September 30 with taking employment while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. She pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment.

     The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment.

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation, with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

     â€‹The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau announced today (October 3) the setting up of the National Games Coordination Office (NGCO) to fully take on the planning and implementation work of the 15th National Games, as well as the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), to be co-hosted by the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao authorities in 2025.
          
     The National Games, held once every four years, are the nation's highest-level and the largest national multisport event. The State Council announced in August 2021 that the 15th National Games would be co-hosted in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in 2025. This is the first time for Hong Kong to be a co-host of the National Games. The three sides will also co-host the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, to be held after the 15th National Games.
      
     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) set up the Hong Kong SAR Organising Committee of the 15th National Games in May 2023 with the Chief Executive as the Patron, the Chief Secretary for Administration as the Chairman and the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism as the Secretary General to provide policy steer and oversee the preparation for events to be staged in Hong Kong. To oversee and co-ordinate related operational work, a Steering Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism with support from various Coordinating Committees, which carry out work in different areas including Competitions; Immigration, Security and Accreditation; Media, Publicity and Community Relations; Medical Services; and Transport and Traffic Arrangements, will be set up in the fourth quarter of 2023. 
      
     The NGCO, to be led by three senior directorate officers, will work closely with Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR Government to co-organise simple, safe and wonderful National Games.

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (October 3).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Lai Kok Community Hall
Lai Kok Estate, Cheung Sha Wan 

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin

Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po

Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan

Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.