The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 13) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A and COVID-19 infection, and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against respiratory tract infection. The CHP appealed to persons who are symptomatic, even if having mild symptoms, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. Strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene should also be observed at all times.

     The case involves a 3-year-old boy with good past health. He developed fever with cough, runny nose , vomiting and diarrhea since July 10. He sought medical attention at a private doctor on July 11. He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital yesterday (July 12) due to worsening of symptoms. He was later admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital for treatment. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen was positive for influenza A virus and COVID-19 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A and COVID-19 coinfection complicated with encephalopathy. He is now in critical condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts are currently asymptomatic.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. The seasonal influenza vaccines for this season will expire starting from July this year and the 2024/25 SIV programme is expected to start in September.

      "Members of the public who have not received the SIV can still get vaccinated before the expiry of the influenza vaccine of this influenza season (i.e. July/August). Nevertheless, please remember that even if you get vaccinated now, you should still take the latest SIV in the new SIV programme (from October this year), so as to be protected during the influenza season in the next year. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:​
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.      

     
     The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information. 

     Titled "Rule of Law Education (ROLE) Stars", the two-day foundation course of the second phase of the Rule of Law Education Train-the-Leaders (TTL) Programme organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) was concluded today (July 13).

     The programme was attended by over 100 secondary school teachers who are mainly responsible for teaching courses related to the rule of law, the Constitution, national security education, and Citizenship and Social Development. Representatives from the DoJ and different sectors such as the legal profession and the media served as trainers to teach in the programme and guide the discussions and interactive sessions. A number of trainees said the course content was substantial, easy to understand and practical, which helped strengthen their ability in promoting correct messages on the rule of law to students and young people, aiding them in building a correct global perspective as well as life and personal values.

     Led by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, the second phase of the TTL Programme was launched at the Justice Place last Saturday.

     The second day of the TTL Programme conducted today began with Mr Martin Hui, SC, and Ms Roberta Chan, solicitor, briefing the trainees on topics including the criminal and civil litigation process of the Hong Kong courts, alternative dispute resolution services and the legal profession.

     It was followed by a session in which the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, and experienced media professional Ms Ho Yuen-yi shared their views and practical experience on communication skills in disseminating messages on the rule of law. An interactive session was then held for the trainees to conduct group discussions and exchanges.

     An interactive "Talk to the Secretary for Justice – Question-and-Answer Session" was held in the afternoon, during which Mr Lam had in-depth exchanges with the trainees on topics related to the rule of law. Teachers joining the event actively participated throughout the session. They asked questions enthusiastically and discussed with Mr Lam various topics such as enhancing the students' interests in Hong Kong legal system and the rule of law situation in the country.

     Mr Lam said that to uphold the rule of law, everyone in the community should be a guardian and an advocate of the rule of law. As team leaders of the next generation, teachers will have to go the extra mile among all guardians and advocates. When working on the rule of law education, he said he hoped that participating teachers could have faith that they were not alone, as the Government will do its best to provide assistance. He also encouraged teachers to proactively learn more about the rule of law.

     The graduation ceremony and certificate presentation ceremony of the second-phase programme was also held in the afternoon. Officiating guests of the graduation ceremony, namely Mr Lam; member of the Steering Committee on Rule of Law Education, Chairperson of the Working Group on Coordination and Liaison and Legislative Council Member, Ms Carmen Kan; and the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, delivered concluding remarks at the event.

     The three officiating guests, together with the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, and the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Mr Victor Dawes, SC, presented certificates to trainees who have completed the two-day foundation course of the second-phase programme.

     For more details on the TTL Programme and other information relating to the promotion and training on the rule of law, please visit the dedicated website at www.role-ttl.gov.hk.

                          

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 13).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, visited Chengdu, Sichuan from July 10 to 13. During his stay, Mr Liu attended the Civil Air Navigation Service Organisation (CANSO) Asia Pacific Conference 2024, and visited different aviation organisations and entities to learn about the latest developments of civil aviation in the Mainland and to conduct in-depth discussions.
 
     Leaders from civil aviation organisations from various States/Administrations across the Asia Pacific region attended the CANSO Asia Pacific Conference 2024, including the Deputy Administrator of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Ma Bing; and the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Air Traffic Management Bureau of CAAC, Mr Wen Xuezheng. Mr Liu was invited to speak in an expert panel during the conference, where he shared his insights on how modernisation of air traffic control in Asia Pacific can be accelerated from the management and operational perspectives.
 
     The CANSO has also announced that "Airspace Asia Pacific 2025", a new exhibition and conference event dedicated to air traffic development and management in the Asia Pacific region, would be launched in Hong Kong in December next year. Mr Liu welcomed the launch of "Airspace Asia Pacific 2025" in Hong Kong and said, "While Hong Kong being an international aviation hub, we are honoured to host such major event at our world-class conference and exhibition facilities, and we welcome the participants to come and experience the vibrancy of our city as well as our hospitality."
 
     Mr Liu also visited the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC), the Second Research Institute of CAAC (CAACSRI) and the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport after the conference, including their facilities. Mr Liu called on and exchanged views with the management teams of these organisations and entities, including the President of the CAFUC, Mr Guan Lixin; and the Director of the CAACSRI, Mr Liu Weidong, on various topics including flight crew training, the latest aviation research and technological development as well as airport operations, and looked into ways to foster closer collaborations.
 
     Accompanying Mr Liu to Chengdu were Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Airport Standards), Miss Clara Wong; and the Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Air Traffic Management), Mr Tommy Au Yeung.

     Mr Liu will return to Hong Kong today (July 13).

      

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (July 13) that the new taxi fares for urban, New Territories (NT) and Lantau taxis will take effect from tomorrow (July 14).

     The new fares are as follows:
 

     
     For additional charges of the three types of taxis, the fares for every piece of baggage carried (except light personal hand baggage carried inside the passenger compartment) will remain at $6; and the fares for every animal or bird carried and every hiring arranged through telephone booking will remain at $5.

     Taxi drivers have to charge according to taximeters. From July 14, taxi drivers have to display the fare conversion tables issued by the TD (see Annex) in the vehicle if the taximeters are yet to be adjusted to display the new fares. Taxi passengers have to pay the new fares according to the conversion tables. When taxi drivers charge new fares according to the conversion tables, the fare amount based on the new fares has to be written down on fare receipts issued to passengers.

     Details on the new taxi fares are available on the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/taxi_fare_of_hong_kong/index.html).