The Lands Department announced today (February 15) that the tender for a site, Tai Po Town Lot No. 244 at the junction of Yau King Lane and Pok Yin Road, Pak Shek Kok, Tai Po, New Territories, has been awarded to the highest tenderer, Channel First Limited (parent company: Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $6,309,380,000.

     The tenderers, other than the successful tenderer, in alphabetical order, with the name of the parent company where provided by the tenderer in brackets, were:

(1) Action Fulfilled Assets Limited (Far East Consortium International Limited);
(2) Asia Power Development Limited (China Overseas Land & Investment Limited and Sino Land Company Limited);
(3) Bright Vision International Limited (CITIC Pacific Limited)
(4) Centenary Investments Limited (CK Asset Holdings Limited);
(5) Gold Fusion Limited (Star Atrium Limited);
(6) Honest Profit Development Limited (Henderson Land Development Company Limited);
(7) Infinite Sun Limited (Wheelock Properties Limited);
(8) One Gold Investment Limited (K&K Property Holdings Limited); and
(9) Tin Wah International Limited (K. Wah International Holdings Limited).

     Tai Po Town Lot No. 244 has a site area of about 32 900 square metres and is designated for non-industrial (excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station) purposes. The minimum gross floor area and the maximum gross floor area are 52 920 sq m and 88 200 sq m respectively. Both include the gross floor area of Government Accommodation, being a residential care home for the elderly to be constructed by the purchaser.
    

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 15) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From February 8 to 14, the CHP confirmed seven imported DF cases. The patients had been to Indonesia (three cases, including two epidemiologically linked cases), Sri Lanka (three cases, including two epidemiologically linked cases and one case epidemiologically linked to a case recorded last month) and Thailand (one case) during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (February 14), 21 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Indonesia (six), Sri Lanka (four), Maldives (three) and Thailand (three). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2019 revealed that 12 431 cases had been recorded in the Philippines, 5 191 cases in Thailand, 1 339 in Singapore (since December 30, 2018) and 32 in Japan. In Taiwan, one local case has been recorded in 2019. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 74 668 and 3 201 cases were filed in Brazil and Mexico respectively in 2019.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 15) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS. 
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published today (February 15) the credit card lending survey results for the fourth quarter of 2018.
 
     Total card receivables grew by 9.7 per cent in the fourth quarter to HK$138.0 billion at end-December 2018. The substantial increase was mainly driven by festive spending and salaries tax payment.
 
     The combined delinquent and rescheduled ratio edged down marginally to 0.31 per cent at end-December 2018 from 0.32 per cent at the previous quarter-end.
 
     The charge-off amount declined by HK$8 million during the quarter to HK$503 million. Correspondingly, the quarterly charge-off ratio decreased to 0.38 per cent from 0.41 per cent in the previous quarter.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (February 15) the progress made in its handling of banking complaints received as at end-January 2019. Banking complaints include cases concerning general banking services and conduct-related issues.

     In January 2019, 212 cases were received and the handling of 166 cases was completed. As at end- January, the handling of 460 cases was in progress. 

     A table summarising the progress made in the handling of banking complaints by the HKMA is attached.