The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 10) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:
 
     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade, providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees and providing for employees as far as practicable covered space with good ventilation for rest and meals. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should rest in a cool or shady place and drink water immediately. They should also inform their supervisors to take appropriate action.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (August 10) welcomes the joint statement signed by the pro-development camp on appealing to the community to work together to engineer changes in Hong Kong for a better tomorrow.
      
     A Government spokesman stressed that at a time when Hong Kong was facing the great challenges brought about by the social unrest and COVID-19 which had plagued Hong Kong in the past year, all people in Hong Kong should discard their differences and work together with one heart to fight against the virus and to help Hong Kong tide over the difficulties so that the city can start afresh for a new future.
      
     The spokesman said the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong remained severe. The Government had been putting in place the most stringent measures to tackle the epidemic since January.
      
      "To enhance Hong Kong's virus testing capability and increase its medical facilities as fast as possible, the HKSAR Government has earlier sought the help of the Central Government with a view to assisting Hong Kong to strengthen its testing capability and build temporary treatment facilities. The Central Government is very supportive of HKSAR and has acceded to its request swiftly and proactively. The HKSAR Government once again expressed its gratitude to the care and support rendered to HKSAR by the Central Government.
      
      "The Mainland nucleic acid testing support team, which was formed in response to the request of the HKSAR Government, has commenced work gradually to help strengthen Hong Kong's virus testing capacity. The Government has also sought the assistance of the Central Government in making arrangements for the Mainland's shelter hospital team to share its experience with the government's engineering departments and the Hospital Authority and to provide professional advice and suggestions for the setting up of treatment facilities at the AsiaWorld-Expo, as well as in supplying related hospital beds and equipment including temporary negative air pressure treatment facilities. In addition, with the support of the Central Government, the HKSAR Government plans to build a temporary hospital on a piece of about 3.2 hectares of land next to the AsiaWorld-Expo. It will provide a negative pressure ward that can accommodate about 800 to 1 000 beds and related medical facilities.
      
     "The HKSAR Government is actively pursuing the above work. We hope that the whole community, with the Central Government's support, can unite in fighting the virus so that  Hong Kong people's daily life and economic activities can resume normal very soon," the spokesman said.
      
     The spokesman said Hong Kong was facing an increasing threat to national security. At the same time, external elements have intensified their interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs. The National Security Law is enacted for ensuring the resolute, full and faithful implementation of the principles of  "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. It seeks to prevent, suppress and impose punishments on acts and activities to split the country, subvert state power, organise and carry out terrorist activities, as well as collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. The National Security Law only targets an extremely small minority of offenders, while the life and property as well as various legitimate basic rights and freedoms enjoyed by the vast majority of citizens are protected.

     Safeguarding national security through legislation is in line with international practice. Western countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have all enacted laws to safeguard national security and sovereignty, and formed relevant decision-making and enforcement bodies. This shows that every country has an obligation and relevant legislation to safeguard its national security and sovereignty.
      
     The spokesman also pointed out that under the epidemic situation, Hong Kong's economic situation was worrying. After contracting by 9.1 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter, real GDP plunged further by nine per cent in the second quarter. Hong Kong has been seeing a new wave of the epidemic since July, affecting once again people's daily lives and economic activities. Against this backdrop, it is likely that Hong Kong's economy in the third quarter will be facing even greater pressure, and it may take longer than originally expected for the local economy to recover.
      
     Faced with this extremely difficult economic situation, the Government has put in place relief measures of the largest scale ever, including one-off measures in the Budget and the two rounds of Anti-epidemic Fund, totalling some $290 billion. All these measures, including the Enterprise Support Scheme that will last until end November, have been gradually implemented to provide support and relief to small and medium enterprises and citizens. 
      
     The spokesman said, "Though Hong Kong has been going through a trying time in the past year, our institutional strengths and core competitiveness are still intact. Under the "one country, two systems" arrangement, Hong Kong continues to be an international financial centre and one of the best places around the world for doing business. We have free flow of capital, goods, information and talents; simple and low tax regime, robust regulatory system, rule of law and judicial independence. We also play a unique and important role in China's national development strategies, in particular the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative. All these strengths are internationally recognised. 
      
     "With the implementation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has not only quickly restored social and political stability, but is also poised for wider and greater development opportunities. With a more solid foundation for the 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong could play an even more positive role in the continuous opening-up and deepening of reform of our country."
      
     The spokesman added, "The development of Hong Kong in the past few decades demonstrates that there emerges new opportunities in every crisis. As long as we could take advantage of our unique institutional strengths, rightly position ourselves in the development, maintain and enhance our own competitiveness and grasp the opportunities to participate in our country's development strategies, we could definitely serve our country's needs with our strengths, promote the further economic development in Hong Kong, and build a prosperous and stable Hong Kong."

     The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital today (August 9) made the following announcement concerning one preliminarily positive case of COVID-19 infection and provide updates about a close contact of a case confirmed with COVID-19 earlier (case no. 3714):
      
     A 70-year-old male patient with chronic disease was admitted through Accident and Emergency Department to the surveillance ward of KWH on August 3 due to fever, and received a COVID-19 test on the same date. His Nasopharyngeal Aspirate and Throat Swab sample was tested negative for COVID-19. In view of his unstable condition, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on August 4 for further management.
      
     As the patient presented with symptoms of sore throat and diarrhea, he was transferred to a surveillance ward for another COVID-19 test on August 5 and the test result was negative.  The patient was transferred to a general surgical ward for treatment on August 6 due to his surgical problem.
      
     The patient had persistent fever from August 6. Based on clinical decision, he was transferred to the surveillance ward for another COVID-19 test on August 8 and the test result was positive. The patient was then transferred to the isolation ward for treatment and is now in stable condition.
      
     The hospital’s infection control team conducted contact tracing according to prevailing guidelines, eight patients who had stayed in the same general surgical ward with the confirmed case were classified as close contacts. Seven patients have been isolated, and the hospital had informed the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for the follow up of the remaining one discharged patient.
      
     57 healthcare workers provided treatment and care to the patient were equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with the infection control guidelines of the Hospital Authority. The hospital’s infection control team had been conducting contact tracing for healthcare workers according to prevailing guidelines. No staff member had been classified as close contact at the moment.
      
     The hospital has arranged thorough cleansing and disinfection of the concerned surgical ward. The hospital would continue to closely monitor the health of staff and patients, and communicate with the CHP about the latest situation.
      
     Furthermore, a 75-year-old male patient who was being identified as a close contact of the 81-year-old male patient (case no.3714) confirmed with COVID-19 infection due to having stayed in the same cubicle of the general medical ward was tested negative for COVID-19 on initial screening on August 4. As the 75-year-old male patient was presented with fever and coughing symptoms from August 8, he had been transferred to isolation ward on August 9 for COVID-19 test and the test result was positive. The patient is now in serious condition and under isolation treatment. The connection between these COVID-19 cases is under investigation.
      
     The hospital would continue to closely monitor the health condition of other patients and maintain communication with the CHP about the latest situation.