The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 21) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in September dropped further to 2 per cent from 2.5 per cent in August and was at the lowest Level 1, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the areas surveyed was not extensive.

     In September, all the 64 survey areas were recorded with a gravidtrap index lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in September was 1, which represented that an average of one Aedes albopictus adult was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "In response to the four local cases of dengue fever (DF) recorded this year, the FEHD has continued to intensify mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also provided government departments with professional advice and technical support to assist them in swiftly formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures while strengthening publicity and education at the same time. Under the concerted efforts and collaboration of various parties, the index in September dropped further. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts, and will conduct prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work."

     The FEHD is conducting a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The third phase of the territory-wide campaign, lasting 12 weeks, was launched on August 5 and will run until October 27. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD will target areas that have drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites, to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. To further enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control, the FEHD and relevant government departments have carried out the second phase of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations since May 2 to focus on eliminating potential mosquito breeding places, and called on property management offices to arrange necessary repairs to their premises to minimise mosquito breeding places. Furthermore, intense adult mosquito control has been conducted by means of regular ultra-low volume fogging operations after the onset of the rainy season.

     The FEHD appeals to members of the public to work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

     Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit DF. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. Based on the latest surveillance data from the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, there has been an increase in DF cases in some places in Asia thus far, compared with the corresponding period of last year. The Americas (including Brazil, Argentina and Peru) have recorded about 12 million cases, which is a record number, since the beginning of 2024. The number of DF cases recorded in Guangdong Province has been increasing in the past three months, with 233, 1 220 and over 3 000 DF cases in July, August and September respectively. The dengue activity in neighbouring areas is high and Hong Kong has recorded 95 imported DF cases and four local DF cases so far this year. Members of the public should continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures proactively. 

     The Housing Bureau (HB) today (October 21) awarded the second operation and management contract of the Light Public Housing (LPH) projects (Contract No. LPH20240002) to Easy Living Consultant Limited and Yan Chai Hospital Joint Venture at a tender sum of about $168 million.
 
     The contract includes operation and management of two LPH projects at Choi Hing Road and Choi Shek Lane, Ngau Tau Kok (i.e. the former St Joseph's Anglo-Chinese School), providing about 2 290 and 148 LPH units respectively. The intake is expected in the second quarter of next year and the first quarter of 2026 respectively. Under the steer and supervision of the HB, the operating organisation will need to work at full capacity to carry out the pre-management works effectively to ensure the smooth handling of LPH application and intake matters, and to provide various services and ancillary facilities for the residents and local community immediately upon intake.

     The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, said, "With the appointment of the second operating organisation for LPH today, this social project has taken another significant step forward. Under this contract, the operation and management of two LPH projects in proximity is taken up by one organisation. This arrangement will create synergy, enhance the flexibility in operation and management, as well as utilisation of resources, thereby increasing the efficiency and expanding the scope of service. I aspire to work closely with various operating organisations in the coming years to ensure effective operation and management, hence allowing the residents and nearby community to benefit from the projects' ancillary facilities and community services. I would also like to appeal to other organisations that are interested in operating LPH to actively participate in the tenders of other projects, thereby working together with the Government to improve the living environment of grassroots people and help them in their pursuit towards happiness."
 
     In addition to providing accommodation, the LPH projects will also offer various services and facilities for the residents and local community. Therefore, the requirements for LPH's operation and management services differ from general property management contracts, which not only include occupant management, property management and daily maintenance, but also a range of social services as well as the management and operation of ancillary facilities including a minibus stand, convenience store, launderettes and study/activity rooms.
 
     To ensure service quality, the HB has, in the assessment process, carried out a technical assessment based on a series of criteria including the management capability and relevant experience of the tenderers, as well as the proposed modes of operation and management, social services and ancillary facilities to be provided, an exit plan and the use of innovation and information technology. The tender price was then comprehensively evaluated to decide on the most suitable operating organisation.
 
     The Chief Executive has announced the construction of about 30 000 LPH units by 2027-28, and the HB and the Architectural Services Department have been working at full steam to take forward the related works. Construction of the projects has been gradually launched and will be completed successively. Moreover, the LPH Phase 1 Application for about 4 400 units has received an overwhelming response, with close to 10 900 applications received by the end of September 2024.

  

     The Government announced today (October 21) the subscription and allocation results of the new batch of Silver Bond.
 
     According to the subscription information submitted by the Placing Banks and the Designated Securities Brokers, as at the close of the subscription period at 2pm on October 14, 2024, a total of 300,413 valid applications were received for a total of HK$69,981,970,000 in principal amount of bonds.
 
     The final issuance amount of the Silver Bond will be HK$55 billion, higher than the target issuance amount of HK$50 billion. Allocation is conducted in accordance with the mechanism set out in the Issue Circular dated September 30, 2024. The valid applications received have been allocated bonds up to a maximum of 24 units (with each unit being HK$10,000). For the 166,177 applications seeking 23 or fewer units, they will be allocated the full amounts applied for. The remaining 134,236 applications (i.e. those applying for more than 23 units) will be allocated 23 units each and then entered into a ballot. Of these applications, 23,737 will be allocated one additional unit.
 
     The Silver Bond will be issued on October 23, 2024, under the retail part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Notifications on individual allocation results, applicable subscription moneys and refund of application moneys in excess of the allocated portion will be sent to applicants in accordance with the schedule set out in the Issue Circular.
 
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "This is the first batch of Silver Bond issued under the Government's Infrastructure Bond Programme, which will support infrastructure projects for the good of the economy and people's livelihood, and provide our citizens with a 'sense of participation' and a 'sense of gain' in support of Hong Kong's long-term development projects. The positive response in subscription shows that Silver Bond continues to be well-received by senior residents. Silver Bond can provide a safe, reliable and low-risk investment option with steady returns for senior residents, rendering financial services means to better serve the needs of the public and the community. We will keep the effectiveness of the scheme and future arrangements under review, taking account of investor response, market conditions and other relevant considerations."

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, October 21, 2024 is 104.8 (up 0.1 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, October 19, 2024 was 104.7 (down 0.1 against last Friday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Queen Mary Hospital made the following update today (October 21) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notification earlier:
 
     The 35-year-old female foreign patient who left a medical ward of the hospital without notification yesterday (October 20) was located last night. The hospital will continue to follow up on her condition.