Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (January 19) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     A woman who went missing in Wong Tai Sin has been located.

     Ng Ching-han, aged 74, went missing after she was last seen in Choi Hung Estate yesterday afternoon (January 17). Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman was located tonight (January 18) on Wah King Hill Road, Kwai Chung. She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     Police today (January 18) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.

     Ng Ching-han, aged 74, went missing after she was last seen in Choi Hung Estate yesterday afternoon (January 17). Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.52 metres tall, 41 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, a purple jacket, black trousers, black shoes and carrying a red bag.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 9886 0060 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:     

     As at noon today (January 18), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of seven patients in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria.

     Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent to the DH for testing. Currently, there are 11 patients still under isolation. 10 patients are in stable condition, while the patient in North District Hospital is in critical condition due to her underlying disease.
      
     There are currently no patients confirmed as being infected with novel coronavirus in public hospitals.
              

 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson reminded that restricted visiting arrangements are now imposed in all public hospitals. "The HA suggests members of the public to avoid visiting patients in ward if they have fever, or have close contact with patients with respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible transmission of novel coronavirus infection."

     Visitors of public hospitals are also required to wear masks in all clinical areas and to wash hands before and after visiting hospitals.

     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 18) investigating two cases of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza.
 
     The first case involves a 29-month-old girl with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough, runny nose and convulsion since January 12. She was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department at Tuen Mun Hospital for medical attention on January 13 and was admitted for treatment. She was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital for further management. Her nasopharyngeal aspirate specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. She is now in serious condition.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received a seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her little sister was tested positive for influenza A infection recently and has now recovered. The patient's father has also developed fever recently and has sought medical consultation. Her other home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
 
     The second case involves a 26-month-old girl with good past health, who has presented with fever and vomiting since January 17 and subsequently developed seizure. She was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical attention on January 18 and was admitted for treatment. She was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital for further management on the same day. Her nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. She is now in critical condition.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.

     The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Hong Kong has already entered the 2019-20 winter influenza season and seasonal influenza activity has continued to increase in the past week. It is anticipated that local seasonal influenza activity will continue to rise in the coming weeks and remain at an elevated level for some time. Members of the public aged six months or above who have not yet received influenza vaccination, particularly children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, are advised to receive an SIV as early as possible to better protect themselves in the coming winter influenza season against influenza A and B infections. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination."

     The 2019/20 seasonal influenza vaccination programmes, including the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and the Government Vaccination Programme, have been launched. As well, the SIV school outreach has been regularised to allow all primary schools to join, and has been extended to kindergartens, child care centres and kindergarten-cum-child care centres as a pilot.

     "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. Given that influenza vaccines are safe and effective, all persons aged six months or above, except those with known contraindications, are recommended to receive an SIV for personal protection. Vaccinations among family members is key to protecting their personal and family health," the spokesman said.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 
• Receive an SIV for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express for more information.