The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 19) received notification from the National Health Commission (NHC) on the latest information on the pneumonia cases of novel coronavirus infection detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
 
     According to the information from the NHC, epidemiological analysis on the novel coronavirus infections announced earlier revealed that some cases did not have exposure in "Hua Nan Seafood Wholesale Market". Separately, experts from the national, provincial and municipal level have conducted overall assessments on some pneumonia cases of unknown cause which were screened at community health services centres, and identified and under treatment at fever clinics of various hospitals in Wuhan, taking into consideration of the clinical picture, epidemiological information and positive results from an enhanced testing kit for nucleic acid of the novel coronavirus. As of January 17, 17 additional pneumonia cases of the novel coronavirus infection in Wuhan were confirmed. The patients comprised 12 males and five females, aged 30 to 79, who developed symptoms before January 13 this year. Among the patients, three are in serious condition and the others are in stable condition.

     As of January 17, the total number of novel coronavirus infections in Wuhan was 62 cases. Among them, 19 patients have been discharged, eight patients are in serious condition and two died, while the remaining patients are in stable condition. A total of 763 close contacts have been identified. All have been put under medical surveillance with 681 of them having completed the surveillance, and no related cases have been detected so far.
 
    A spokesman for the CHP said, "The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the NHC, the World Health Organization and the relevant overseas health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment."
 
   The spokesman reminded the public to avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible transmission of novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong.
 
     A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. Information on the affected countries/areas is available from the following webpage: www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection.pdf.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the
mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
 
     The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:
 
• Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible transmission of novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if having a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if having a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease.

     Hong Kong Customs will step up patrols at popular shopping spots in various districts and remind traders to comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) starting today (January 19) and through the Lunar New Year holiday, with a view to enhancing consumer protection.

     Customs officers starting from today will step up patrols at dried seafood shops, pharmacies and jewellery shops in different tourist shopping areas such as Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, as well as at Lunar New Year fairs. Pamphlets will also be distributed to retailers to remind them to comply with the requirements of the TDO. 

     Customs also reminds consumers to purchase products from reputable shops. They should be cautious about the unit price during shopping and bear in mind that receipts must be retained after purchases.

     Under the TDO, any trader who engages in unfair trade practices, including making false trade descriptions in relation to goods, misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices or bait and switch, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:
 
     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (January 21) to consider four applications for new issue, renewal and transfer of liquor licences.
 
     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Kowloon:
——–
MISS in Tsim Sha Tsui
VISAA in Tai Kok Tsui
 
New Territories:
——————-
KALEIDO COFFEE and Jasmine in Tuen Mun
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend, except during the private session on confidential items.
 

     A property owner was convicted and fined over $110,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on January 14 for persistently failing to comply with a removal order under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123) (BO).
      
     The order involved three unauthorised rooftop structures at a composite building at Cameron Road, Kowloon. The structures, used for rental purposes, are about 26 square metres in total size.
      
     As the above unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval from the Buildings Department (BD), contravening the BO, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
      
     The owner did not comply with the order. He was prosecuted by the BD in 2018 and was fined about $40,000 upon conviction at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts. However, the owner persisted in not complying with the order and the BD prosecuted him for the second time last year. The owner was convicted again this month. The Court noticed that the owner had 12 previous conviction records for not complying with removal orders and heavily fined the owner $114,000.
      
     "UBWs may adversely affect the structural and fire safety of a building, leading to serious consequences. Owners must comply with the removal orders without further delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with the removal orders (including instigating prosecution) so as to achieve a deterrent effect," a spokesman for the BD said today (January 19).
      
     Pursuant to section 40(1BA) of the BO, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with an order served on him under section 24(1) of the BO commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for one year, as well as a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence has continued.  

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (January 19).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.