The Department of Health (DH) today (August 28) drew public attention to a safety alert issued by local supplier Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited concerning specific lots of its blood coagulation test strips, namel… read more
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (August 28) issued invitation letters to 65 residential property management companies to invite their participation in a territory-wide campaign to support elderly persons (including those suffering from dementia and hidden elders) and their needy carers by releasing their front-line property management staff to receive training so that they can render assistance to elderly persons and their carers.
Hong Kong, with a population of elderly perons aged above 65 exceeding 1.1 million, is moving towards an era of ageing population. In the foreseeable future, the ageing trend will continue. In this regard, the SWD is going to launch in October a territory-wide campaign featuring a series of activities and publicity events. The campaign aims to raise public awareness and enlist community support to needy elders and their carers so as to help them age in place and relieve their carers’ stress.
One of the major target groups of the campaign is the front-line staff of residential property management companies, who have frequent contacts with elderly persons and their carers. They would be able to observe elderly residents’ daily routine and easily identify changes in their physical condition. To encourage property management companies to fulfil their corporate social responsibility by actively participating in the campaign, the SWD issued invitation letters to 65 residential property management companies today to seek their support by releasing their front-line staff to receive training so that they can identify the needs of elderly persons and their carers and offer suitable assistance.
The training course will be provided by non-governmental organisations commissioned by the SWD. Each training session of around 20 to 45 minutes is free of charge. The training covers knowledge about dementia, symptoms of hidden elders and information of community support services. read more
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (August 28) extended his congratulations to Hong Kong cycling athlete Lee Wai-sze on winning a gold medal in the Women’s Track Keirin in the 18th Asian Games, being held in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia.
Mr Lau said, “Lee Wai-sze has demonstrated the demeanour of a great athlete and defended her title. We share her joy as she won glory for Hong Kong again. I hope she can achieve further good results in the remaining competitions.”
The Hong Kong team has so far won 32 medals, namely four gold medals, 12 silver medals and 16 bronze medals, at this Asian Games. The list of other medals won from August 26 to today are as follows:
Today
Silver medal
————-
Cycling (Track): Men’s Team Pursuit
Cheung King-lok, Ko Siu-wai, Leung Chun-wing, Leung Ka-yu and Mow Ching-yin
Bronze medal
————-
Table Tennis: Women’s Team
Doo Hoi-kem, Lee Ho-ching, Li Ching-wan, Ng Wing-nam and Minnie Soo
August 27
Silver medal
————-
Bridge: Men’s Team
Lai Wai-kit, Lau Pik-kin, Mak Kwok-fai, Ng Chi-cheung, Wan Siu-kau and Zen Wei-peu
Bridge: Super Mixed Team
Pearlie Chan, Ho Hoi-tung, Ho Wai-lam, Charmian Koo, Flora Wong, Yeung Hoi-ning
Badminton: Mixed Doubles
Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet
Cycling (Track): Women’s Team Sprint
Lee Wai-sze, Li Yin-yin and Ma Wing-yu
August 26
Bronze medal
—————-
Athletics: Women’s 100m Hurdles
Lui Lai-yiu read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: In response to media enquiries, the Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (August 28) responded as follows: The HA expressed its c… read more
The Scientific Committee on Vector-borne Diseases (SCVBD) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) met today (August 28) to review the latest situation of local dengue fever (DF) and the Government’s prevention and control measures.
Members noted that as of yesterday, 26 confirmed local DF cases have been recorded this year. Based on the CHP’s epidemiological investigations, two sources of infection, namely Lion Rock Park and Cheung Chau, have been identified.
At the meeting, representatives from the CHP and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department presented to members the prevention and control measures carried out by the Government in response to the recent outbreak. Members reiterated the importance of isolating confirmed patients in mosquito-free environments during their febrile period to prevent potential transmission of dengue viruses to mosquitoes. In addition, they acknowledged that the prompt and intensive anti-mosquito operations carried out at this critical moment have been effective in preventing further spread of DF. They also agreed that the intensive anti-mosquito measures must be continued in the coming months in all districts to prevent DF from taking root in Hong Kong.
The Controller of the CHP, Dr Wong Ka-hing, said, “Apart from the Government’s prevention and control measures, the prevention of secondary spread of DF as well as the carrying out of anti-mosquito measures by members of the public are equally important.
“Scientific studies have shown that infected persons can transmit the virus to mosquitoes through mosquito bites even if they remain asymptomatic or before their onset of symptoms, leading to further spread of the disease. People who have visited Lion Rock Park should be advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit, and those with DF symptoms should seek medical advice as early as possible. Meanwhile, people who reside in or visit Cheung Chau should also be advised to apply insect repellent during their stay and continue applying for 14 days after their last day of stay to prevent infection and secondary spread.
“We will take on board experts’ views in reinforcing ongoing prevention and control measures. The CHP will closely monitor the local situation and revise its response if necessary,” Dr Wong said.
The CHP has provided information and locations of the residences and local movements of the local DF cases on the CHP’s designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access to the outbreak information for the public.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD’s Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.
