Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 6) said that the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has completed its testing of the environmental swabs taken from Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market on August 4, with all samples tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To further improve the environmental hygiene of the two markets, the FEHD will work with market stall tenants to conduct a clean-up (including clearing of disused articles) and a thorough cleaning and disinfection (including at market stalls and communal areas) again tomorrow (August 7). It is expected that the two markets will be reopened on August 8 (Saturday).
      
     In view of recent COVID-19 cases found to be related to Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market, for prudence’s sake, the FEHD has temporarily suspended operation of the two markets for carrying out thorough cleaning and disinfection work. The FEHD was notified by HKU yesterday (August 5) that its testing work of the environmental swabs taken from the two markets has been completed and all the samples were tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.
      
     Moreover, since late July, the FEHD has progressively arranged a voluntary one-off free COVID-19 testing service for operators of market stalls and personnel working in markets. Earlier on, the testing agency had distributed specimen bottles to operators of market stalls (including fish stalls that have been let) or personnel working in Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market, and the testing work has mostly been completed. The agency will strive to complete the remaining testing work as soon as possible.
      
     The FEHD has conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection work during the markets’ suspension of operation in order to safeguard the health and safety of market stall tenants and the public. To further improve the environmental hygiene of the two markets, the FEHD will conduct another round of thorough cleaning and disinfection of communal areas and facilities in the markets tomorrow (August 7) and market stall tenants will also clean and disinfect their own stalls. In addition, the department will conduct deep cleaning work on the periphery of the markets and nearby streets, and enhance anti-rodent measures in Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market, including conducting a three-month intensive anti-rodent operation, during which market staff will thoroughly clear the refuse and clean the passages and drains in the markets every night after the markets are closed so as to eliminate the food sources of rodents. Plentiful traps will also be placed in market areas extensively in the small hours in order to strengthen rodent control.
      
     Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market are expected to re-open on August 8 (Saturday). The FEHD will, in accordance with the advice of the Chair Professor of the Department of Microbiology, HKU, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, strictly require market patrons to take body temperature check and use alcohol handrub to clean their hands before entering the markets, and to comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap.599I) to wear a mask in the markets. The FEHD will continue to closely monitor the situation of the markets, strive to step up anti-epidemic measures in markets, and to conduct deep cleaning and disinfection work if necessary so as to maintain environmental hygiene.
     
     The spokesman said that the FEHD attaches importance to the hygienic condition of public markets and will continue to strengthen anti-epidemic measures and cleaning and disinfection work in light of the developments of the epidemic. Leveraging technology for carrying out the work is also under active exploration by the department. Earlier on, face masks and disinfectant hand sanitisers have also been distributed by the department to market stall tenants. The spokesman strongly appealed to market stall operators and personnel working therein to comply with government regulations to wear a mask in the markets and maintain personal and environmental hygiene so as to protect the health and safety of market stall tenants and the public. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     In response to media enquiries regarding a Legionella infection case, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital (SLH) has the following reply today (August 6):
      
     One more 25-year-old patient who had stayed in a male ward for severe intellectual disability at SLH was confirmed with Legionnaires’ Disease (LD). The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) will collect water samples from the hospital and the source of infection for the patient is still undergoing investigation. The patient is in stable condition.
          
     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and infection control improvement measures, including:
 
1.   Suspending the use of related basin faucets;
2.   Installing bacterial filters on basin faucets and shower heads;
3.   Arranging cleansing and disinfection at water tanks and pipes;
4.   Providing patients with distilled water for drinking; and
5.   After communicating with the CHP, the hospital will continue to implement clinical surveillance for all patients in the ward.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. In addition to the above precautionary and improvement measures, the hospital has reminded all healthcare staff to be vigilant and continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP in the investigation of the source of infection. read more

     The Government announced that the special work arrangements for government employees will be extended for one week until August 16. The Highways Department said today (August 6) that it will continue to provide essential and emergency public road repair services including daily inspections of expressways and emergency road repairs. It will also arrange for its contractors to continue to enhance the cleaning work for the handrails of footbridges, subways and escalators as well as the buttons of lifts under the department’s purview.
      
     The Reporting Centre of the Highways Department will maintain operation to handle road repair matters. For any suggestions, enquiries or complaints on the services, members of the public may continue to call the 24-hour hotline 2926 4111 or call 1823. Priority is given to emergency incidents. The public may also contact the Highways Department by email or by fax. Details are as follows:
 
Email addresses:
enquiry@hyd.gov.hk (for enquiries)
complaint@hyd.gov.hk (for complaints)
 
Fax numbers:
2714 5216 (for enquiries)
2187 2243 (for complaints) read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 6) reported an update on its investigation into a case of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) in Siu Lam Hospital (SLH) announced earlier.
 
     The CHP identified one additional patient related to the case. The patient is a 25-year-old man with underlying illness who stayed in the same ward in SLH as the Legionella cases announced on July 24, 29 and 31. He developed fever and sputum on July 31 and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day for medical treatment. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is currently in stable condition. His sputum specimen tested positive for Legionella species upon laboratory testing.
 
     “Epidemiological investigations with SLH are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Tracing of contacts including staff and in-patients in wards is ongoing and those identified have been put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and in-patients, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing. An investigation is ongoing.
 
     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 which 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.

  read more

     Police today (August 6) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsing Yi.        Kwok Chun-man, aged 75, went missing after he left his residence on Fung Shue Wo… read more