The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, visited Eastern District this afternoon (January 11), where he called at a primary school, visited some hawker stalls and met with members of the Eastern District Council (EDC) to learn more about the district's latest developments and needs.  
       
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the EDC, Mr Wong Kin-pan, and the District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan, Mr Chan first visited Aldrich Bay Government Primary School. Mr Chan chatted with students and parents and observed school projects related to music, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and environmental protection.
      
     He then visited the Hong Kong Vegetable Food and Grocery Hawkers Welfare and Fraternity Association Limited and met with hawker representatives to learn more about the hawkers' business environment. He also walked along Kam Wa Street, visited hawker stalls and listened to the views of business operators and other members of the community on the 2019-20 Budget.
       
     Before concluding the visit, Mr Chan met with members of the EDC to exchange views on various livelihood and development issues in the district.
    

          

     A man who went missing in Hung Hom has been located.

     Shahdadpuri Vashi Sobhraj, aged 77, went missing after he left an elderly home on Ma Tau Wai Road on January 7 afternoon. Staff of the elderly home made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located in Castle Peak this morning (January 11). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
     

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) at Government House today (January 11) to exchange views on issues including the UGC's efforts in nurturing talents and promoting research work in the funded universities so as to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness and address the city's strategic needs. 

     She expressed her gratitude to some 20 local and non-local experts on the UGC under the leadership of the Chairman, Mr Carlson Tong, for their valuable advice to the Government on allocation of funding to the funded universities and the strategic development of higher education in Hong Kong. Recognising their solid foundation in academia and innovation and technology (I&T), Mrs Lam said she was confident that the UGC-funded universities would play a key role in contributing to the development of Hong Kong as a global I&T hub. 

     Mrs Lam reiterated that the Government's expenditure on education would be the most meaningful investment for Hong Kong's future and stressed the Government's commitment to supporting I&T development. She announced in the 2018 Policy Address the decision to accept in full the recommendations made by the Task Force on Review of Research Policy and Funding led by Professor Tsui Lap-chee under the UGC and has specifically pledged funding to implement new initiatives to strengthen the research capacity of Hong Kong, including a $20 billion injection into the Research Endowment Fund and the launch of a $3 billion Research Matching Grant Scheme, as well as to support the establishment of three new research fellowship schemes under the Research Grants Council. 

     Mr Tong thanked the Government for its favourable response to the needs of higher education with concrete support and substantial resources for the UGC-funded sector in the past year. The UGC will continue to work closely with the Government, universities and stakeholders to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a leading regional education hub, he said. 

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a female Medical Ward, the spokesperson for Tung Wah Eastern Hospital made the following announcement today (January 11):
 
     One more 91-year-old female patient's test result was confirmed positive for Influenza A (H3) yesterday (January 10). The patient has been discharged upon recovery.
 
     Admission to the ward concerned will continue to be suspended and infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for New Territories West Cluster made the following announcement today (January 11):
 
     Four patients (aged 60 to 72) and a staff member in a female forensic psychiatric ward in Castle Peak Hospital presented with respiratory symptoms since January 7. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Influenza A (H1). The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition. The staff member has recovered and resumed duty.
 
     Furthermore, regarding the earlier announcement by Siu Lam Hospital on a cluster of patients infected with Parainfluenza Virus Type 2 in a male ward for severe intellectual disability, one more 60-year-old patient in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results were positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 2. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the wards concerned in the two hospitals has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the wards are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.