Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 5) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 5) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.
A man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin has been located.
Tang Chi-keung, aged 61, went missing after he was last seen on Heng Lam Street in the small hours of January 2. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
The man was located in a hospital on Gascoigne Road, Yau Ma Tei this afternoon (January 4). No suspicious circumstances were detected.
On the State Council's appointment of Mr Luo Huining as the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, issued the following statement today (January 4):
The HKSAR Government and I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Luo Huining on his assumption of the new post. Mr Luo led a delegation to Hong Kong in his capacity as the Secretary of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee at the end of the year before last year. I had good exchanges with him on co-operation between Shanxi and Hong Kong and was impressed by his care for Hong Kong. I have no doubt that under the leadership of Mr Luo, the Liaison Office will continue to work together with the HKSAR Government to fully implement the Basic Law and "One Country, Two Systems" for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and promote the integration of Hong Kong into the overall development of the nation and the positive development of the relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
The HKSAR Government and I are very grateful for the contribution by Mr Wang Zhimin for upholding "One Country, Two Systems" and supporting the work of the HKSAR Government in accordance with the law in the last two years or so. In particular during the unprecedented social unrest in Hong Kong in the past seven months, he led the Liaison Office in providing staunch support for the HKSAR Government to curb violence and uphold the rule of law, giving us a lot of confidence and encouragement. I had been collaborating with Mr Wang on affairs between the HKSAR and the Mainland in my various capacities in the Government since 2006 and was deeply impressed by his love of Hong Kong, in particular his commitment in and support for work on youth development. I would like to take this opportunity to express my respect and sincere gratitude to him.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 4) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza.
The case involves a 17-year-old boy with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough, runny nose and headache since January 2. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Princess Margaret Hospital for medical attention yesterday and was admitted for treatment. He was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital today for further management.
His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. He 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. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "The latest surveillance data showed that the overall local seasonal influenza activity has been increasing gradually in the past few weeks, and the winter influenza season might arrive soon. 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.