The Department of Health (DH) announced today (April 18) that the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) was invoked to prohibit landing of passen… read more
The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been implemented for the 52nd day since February 26, 2021. So far, about 1 091 100 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered for members of the pu… read more
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Kai Tak this morning (April 18), in which a male worker was suspected to have fallen from height onto the podium of a building under construction, while engaging in scaffolding work at the external wall at upper floor level of the building. He was injured and certified dead in the hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family.
The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and will issue suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the erection, alteration, dismantling and use of bamboo scaffolds at external walls of buildings on the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.”
The spokesman added, “We will complete investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”
The general duty provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and safe systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the above provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.
In regard to today’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. read more
The Department of Health (DH) reminds all private doctors participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to check the vaccination record of the public before COVID-19 vaccine administration, and to follow DH’s Doctor’s Guide in providing vaccination to eligible people. The DH has also strengthened the relevant system safeguard measures of the electronic vaccination record.
The DH received on March 28 report from a private doctor under the vaccination programme that after administering a dose of CoronaVac on a 32-year-old male on the day, the doctor noted from the person’s electronic vaccination record, through eHealth System (Subsidies) (eHS(S)), that he had received one dose of Comirnaty at a Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) on March 12. However, the man did not disclose that he had received the first dose of Comirnaty during his consultation with the doctor. The doctor has arranged further medical consultation for the man to follow up on his medical conditions and alleged that advice was given to the man at that time against receiving another dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Subsequently, during the DH’s follow-up of the electronic vaccination record in the eHS(S) for the man, it was noted that he did not follow the advice of the private doctor concerned and had received another dose of Comirnaty, which was his third dose of COVID-19 vaccination, at a CVC on April 11. Moreover, he had not disclosed his complete vaccination history to the working staff of the CVC at that time.
The DH has conducted site inspection to the concerned private clinic and no other irregularities were noted. The DH has also made special arrangement for medical follow-up to the man. As of now, report of adverse events following mixed doses of vaccination of the man has not been received.
An advisory letter has been issued to the private doctor as the doctor did not comply with DH’s Doctor’s Guide and did not check the client’s electronic vaccination record at eHS(S) before administration of vaccine. In addition, reminder to check for vaccination record before vaccine administration in accordance with DH Doctor’s Guide was issued via email to all health service providers under COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
In addition, the DH earlier followed up on private doctors who have administered the first dose of CoronaVac vaccine on non-Hong Kong residents involving nine vaccine recipients so far. The DH has reminded the concerned private doctors and also all other health service providers under COVID-19 Vaccination Programme that they must follow the guideline and only administer the vaccine on eligible people. In view of the health of the vaccine recipients, the DH will continue to follow-up and notify the concerned private doctors to provide a second dose to them in order to complete the vaccination course.
On the other hand, the DH noted there were occasions where vaccine recipients, who have received their first dose of CoronaVac vaccine at private doctors or clinics, could not obtain a second dose with their doctor or other private clinics for various reasons. If needs arise, these vaccine recipients can enquire with the DH or proceed directly to CVCs where centre staff can make individual arrangement accordingly.
The spokesperson of the DH stressed that, “System safeguard measures are in place in the existing online booking system and eHS(S) to ensure that the arrangement of the COVID-19 vaccination programme meets the requirements. The DH will continue to communicate with participating doctors to ensure that vaccination services are provided in accordance with the guidelines. Enhancement to the system safeguard measures has also been made to support different scenarios of vaccine administration. The DH strongly appeals to members of the public to report their medical and vaccination record accurately to healthcare professionals and adhere to recommendations and advice on COVID-19 vaccination given by them. The practice of mixed doses vaccination involves uncertainty and risk, and is still in the experimental stage, which should only be conducted under the supervision of healthcare professionals.” read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 9am today (April 18), 11 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. Including a patient (case number: 11642) discharged … read more