Several red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 15).
 
     On February 11, one red tide was sighted at Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach.
 
     On February 13, five red tides were spotted at Cyberport, Rambler Channel, Wong Shek Pier, Hoi Ha Wan and Tuen Mun Pier.
 
     On February 14, another red tide was observed at the Tolo Channel.
 
     The red tides at Cyberport and Wong Shek Pier still persist while the other five red tides have dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide spotted at Cyberport was formed by Gonyaulax polygramma and Noctiluca scintillans. The red tide spotted at Wong Shek Pier was formed by Akashiwo sanguinea. The other five red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. All species are non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au, Lo Fu Wat, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Ma Wan, Tap Mun, Kau Lau Wan and Sham Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 18 open meetings and a closed meeting during the week from February 18 to 22 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Tsuen Wan District this afternoon (February 15).
 
     Mr Lau first visited the Mills, a revitalisation project that turned textile factories into a destination for innovation, culture and learning. His first stop there was the Mills Fabrica, an incubator that boosts the growth of innovative start-ups in the fashion, textile and technology industries by offering hardware facilities, financial support and business advice to industry professionals. It also serves as a platform for start-ups to connect with their strategic partners for creative exchange and business development.
 
     He then visited the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile at the conserved and renovated former cotton spinning mills. He said he was pleased to note that the Centre will hold seminars and workshops to engage the community in the culture and art of textiles and build appreciation of the crucial contribution of the trade to Hong Kong's industrial development.

     Next, Mr Lau toured the product showcase of various designers and manufacturers at the Mills Shopfloor, an integrated zone for learning and experiential retail. He said he appreciated that visitors could take part in interactive activities to explore the inspiration, innovation and production process of the products.
 
     Mr Lau later met with the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chung Wai-ping, and other members to exchange views on issues of concern, including management fees of the Mandatory Provident Fund, tax measures and the impact of China-US trade friction.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, will depart for Beijing next Monday evening (February 18).

     Mr Chan will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council next Tuesday morning (February 19), and meet with officials of the Civil Aviation Administration of China to discuss expansions under the Air Services Arrangement between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the afternoon. He will return to Hong Kong at night.

     During his absence, the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Dr Raymond So Wai-man, will be the Acting Secretary for Transport and Housing.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) today (February 15) announced the findings and recommendations of an investigation report regarding an incident related to computed tomographic (CT) colonography (virtual colonoscopy):
 
     Arrangements were made for a female patient to undergo virtual colonoscopy in the hospital on December 7, 2018. A rectal tube was inserted into the patient's rectum without patient discomfort and colonic insufflation was performed using manual insufflation with room air before the scan. During the examination, images revealed pneumo-retroperitoneum and pneumo-peritoneum, indicating the possibility of rectum perforation caused by the rupture of the balloon due to accidental inflation with gas. Surgical repair of the lacerated rectum was performed the same day. The patient remained stable all along and was discharged home, upon her recovery, on December 22.
 
     PYNEH has reported the incident to Hospital Authority (HA) Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. A Root Cause Analysis Panel was formed to investigate the incident. The Panel made the following conclusions:
 

1. The rectal tube used in this case for manual insufflation was adopted from the commercial set for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) insufflator. As both of the ports of balloon inflation and air insufflation were blue in colour, the radiologist might have confused and misidentified the port for manual insufflation;
2. The radiologist could have been distracted by the busy environment in the CT suite on the day amid urgent CT requests from multiple wards, and therefore identified the wrong port for manual insufflation.

     The Panel made the following recommendations:
 

1. Not to alter the use of the commercial set for CO2 insufflator for the purpose of manual insufflation. Staff should follow the instruction from the supplier/user manual for proper use of equipment as far as possible;
2. To enhance staff awareness of the different ports of the rectal tube (e.g. by means of pictorial guide or instruction for quick reference).

 
     The hospital has accepted the Panel's findings and recommendations and submitted the investigation report to HA Head Office. The hospital has explained the investigation findings to the patient's family and apologised again for the incident. The hospital will continue to maintain close communication with the patient and the family and provide them with the necessary assistance.