The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 14) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).

     Fourteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 15 as Fair (Grade 2), nine as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
 
Grade 1 beaches are: 
       

 
Grade 2 beaches are:
 

 
Grade 3 beaches are:
 

 
Grade 4 beach is:
 

* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
** Big Wave Bay Beach has been temporarily closed since June 4 due to urgent works by the Drainage Services Department at a nearby stream and the very poor (Grade 4) water quality measured by the EPD. The beach will be closed until further notice.

     Compared with the grading released last week, Stanley Main Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Kwun Yam Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Deep Water Bay Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.

     "Big Wave Bay Beach has been rated as Very Poor (Grade 4) since June 5, which was largely due to the recent unsteady weather and frequent heavy rain. The changes in other beaches are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, will depart for Geneva, Switzerland, tomorrow evening (June 15) to attend the 108th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), which is also called the Centenary Conference as 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
 
     Dr Law will attend the ILC as a member of the delegation of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The agenda of this year's ILC includes the discussion of the report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work of the ILO entitled "Work for a brighter future" and the international labour standards on ending violence and harassment in the world of work.
 
     While in Geneva, apart from exchanges with tripartite representatives of the PRC delegation, Dr Law will also call on the Permanent Mission of the PRC to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland and have meetings with representatives of the ILO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the International Social Security Association and the System Initiative Management Team of the World Economic Forum to exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
 
     Representatives of the Labour Department and the Labour Advisory Board are also attending the ILC.
 
     Dr Law will arrive in Hong Kong on June 20. In his absence, the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui, will be the Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson made the following statement today (June 14):
 
     The HA reiterates that the prime concern of public hospitals is ensuring patient safety during the course of patient management, which should not be compromised by any non-clinical activities.
 
     The HA also upholds the overriding principle of patient confidentiality, which is the cornerstone of patient confidence. All patient information is collected on a clinical needs basis, while observing the need-to-know principles in information access.
 
     There is a well-established procedure, including proper documentation, in handling requests for patients' information from law enforcers. If in doubt, front-line staff are encouraged to consult senior staff or the HA Major Incident Control Centre.
 

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 (LCSD) announced today (June 14) that because of sightings of dead fish from unidentified sources at Pui O Beach in Islands District, the red flag has been hoisted and the beach has been closed until further notice. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.
 
     The Environmental Protection Department, the Marine Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department have been contacted for follow-up action. Site clearance by LCSD staff is under way. The LCSD will closely monitor the situation and will take further action as necessary.

     According to the provisional results of a survey released today (June 14) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2019 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The corresponding producer price index also increased by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2019 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018.

     The index of industrial production for sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2019 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 5.0% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The corresponding producer price index also increased by 1.2% in the first quarter of 2019 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 3.0% in the fourth quarter of 2018.

     Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.

     Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the first quarter of 2019 with that a year earlier, increases in output volume were recorded mainly in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+2.0%); and the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (+0.4%). On the other hand, decreases in output volume were recorded in the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (-3.3%); and the textiles and wearing apparel industry (-0.1%).

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 1.1% in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the fourth quarter of 2018. 

     Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.

     Comparing the first quarter of 2019 with a year earlier, increases in producer prices were recorded mainly in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+2.2%); the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+2.1%); and the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+1.0%). On the other hand, a slight decrease in producer price was recorded in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (-0.2%).

     Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production by selected industry grouping. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for the industrial sector by selected industry grouping.

     The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for the industrial sector for the first quarter of 2019 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/bbs.jsp) and relevant publications of the Department starting from July 19, 2019.

     Users can download the reports "Quarterly Index of Industrial Production, 1st Quarter 2019" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp310.jsp?productCode=B1070002) and "Quarterly Producer Price Index for Industrial Sector, 1st Quarter 2019" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp280.jsp?productCode=B1070003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     Readers who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7247; fax: 2123 1048; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk).