Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 18) that due to big… read more
Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (January 18). They are, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Federation of the Blind; in Kowloon, Rotary Club of Hong Kong City North Community Service Fund Limited; and in the New Territories, Assembly of God Grace Light Church, Limited, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people distinguish between the three flag-selling activities.
Information on the three flag-selling organisations on January 18 is as follows:
| Region | Name of Organisation | Colour of Collection Bag | Colour of Flag |
| Hong Kong Island | Hong Kong Federation of the Blind | Yellow | Light Blue |
| Kowloon | Rotary Club of Hong Kong City North Community Service Fund Limited | Yellow | Light Yellow |
| New Territories | Assembly of God Grace Light Church, Limited | Blue | Light Blue |
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (January 17) that the CHP has been closely monitoring an additional confirmed case of infection of novel coronavirus in Thailand. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
According to information from the health authority of Thailand, the case involved a 74-year-old female patient from Wuhan, Hubei Province, who arrived Bangkok, Thailand, on January 13 and was detected to be having fever. The patient was subsequently taken to a local medical institute for isolation and management. She was later tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The case is the second confirmed case of infection of novel coronavirus in Thailand.
Following confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection detected outside China as reported in Thailand and Japan, the World Health Organization (WHO) expected that additional cases in other countries are likely considering global travel patterns. According to the WHO, not enough is known about the novel coronavirus to draw definitive conclusions about how it is transmitted, clinical features of disease, or the extent to which it has spread. The source also remains unknown. The WHO encourages all countries to continue preparedness activities.
A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice. To address the public’s concern, the CHP will announce the details of cases fulfilling the reporting criteria (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/enhanced_sur_pneumonia_wuhan_eng.pdf) on the above webpage daily to enhance transparency.
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the
mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if having a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if having a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. read more
Police today (January 17) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok. Au Hing, aged 91, went missing after he left an elderly home on Bedford Road, M… read more
A man who went missing in Sau Mau Ping has been located. Luk Wai-yiu, aged 70, went missing after he was last seen on Hiu Kwong Street on January 15 afternoon. His family made a report to P… read more