The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in a medical ward, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital gave the following update today (April 17):
 
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital conducted contact tracing. One more 62-year-old male patient was found to be a VRE carrier without any symptoms of infection and with stable condition.
 
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 
1.   Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2.   Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3.   Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.
 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (April 17) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

     The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCDS), Dr Chui Hong-sheung, inspected the passing-out parade for 36 probationary inspectors and 121 recruit constables at the Hong Kong Police College today (April 17).
     
     Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Chui said that the Police Force has contributed significantly to the stability and prosperity of society since its establishment. In the past year, the Force apart from being committed to preventing and combating crimes, it also spared no efforts in supporting the Government in the fight against the epidemic, including implementing quarantine orders, and carrying out contact tracing work in respect of COVID-19 confirmed cases.

     Dr Chui also noted that the work of the Police Force is diverse and complex. Over the years, the political, legal and social changes have broadened the scope and increased the complexity of policing work, and have impacted upon the working environment of the Police Force. He said that the SCDS is now conducting a Grade Structure Review for the Disciplined Services Grades. The Committee will consider all relevant information and balance all factors to come up with a recommendation that will be conducive to the sustained development of the Police Force and other discipline services, and at the same time benefit the whole community.

     Lastly, Dr Chui mentioned that people’s expectations on public services are constantly on the rise. Police officers inevitably have to face overwhelming pressure and challenges when discharging their duties. He encouraged all graduates to keep up with their professionalism, hold tight to their beliefs, and carry out their duties in a fair and impartial manner whatever the circumstances while serving the community.

          

     The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) welcomed today (April 17) the announcement made by the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration (GDMPA) on the latest work progress of the measure of allowing designated healthcare institutions operating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to use Hong Kong-registered drugs with urgent clinical use, and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals with urgent clinical use (the Measure), subject to the approval of Guangdong Province.
      
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been maintaining close liaison with the relevant Mainland authorities to discuss the implementation of the Measure at the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) on a trial basis, including establishing a collaborative platform and making agreement on the directory of drugs and medical devices that can be used in designated healthcare institutions in the GBA etc.  The GDMPA has commenced the Measure to use the relevant drugs and medical devices at the HKU-SZH on a trial basis, with a trial period up till July 31. 
      
     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said, "The HKSAR Government greatly welcomes the official implementation of the Measure, which can enable Hong Kong residents to seek suitable healthcare services in the GBA.  I would also like to express gratitude to the People's Government of Guangdong Province for their staunch support.  The HKSAR Government will continue to work and liaise closely with the GDMPA to implement the Measure, with a view to expanding the directory of drugs and medical devices as soon as possible, and extending the arrangement gradually to cover more designated healthcare institutions in the GBA after achieving phased progress under the trial arrangement at the HKU-SZH. We hope to provide greater medical convenience for Hong Kong residents working and living in the GBA, to foster mutual benefits, connectivity and in-depth integration of the medical and pharmaceutical industries in the GBA, as well as to improve the level of healthcare services in the Area."
      
     Through the Measure, the first drug item, Anti-D (Rho) immunoglobulins injection, and the first medical device, Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods, have already been delivered to the HKU-SZH yesterday for clinical use.  Anti-D (Rho) immunoglobulins injection can be used to prevent hemolysis of the newborn when RhD-negative women get pregnant again, while Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods can be used to correct severe spinal deformities in children.  In addition, HKU-SZH’s applications for new imported drugs for treating lung cancer, lymphoma and severe chronic obstructive lung have also been approved.
      
     The Central Government has promulgated the Work Plan for Regulatory Innovation and Development of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on the website of the National Medical Products Administration on November 25, 2020, permitting designated Hong Kong-owned healthcare institutions operating in the GBA to use Hong Kong-registered drugs, and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals with urgent clinical use and advanced clinical applications.

     A woman who went missing in Kwun Tong has been located.

     Hui Mei-ling, aged 38, went missing after she left her residence in Hing Tin Estate on January 12 afternoon. Her boyfriend made a report to Police on January 19.

     The woman returned to her residence in the small hours of today (April 17). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.