Red flag hoisted at Pui O Beach

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 (June 25) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.




Lab plays key role in virus fight

     To tackle the unprecedented COVID-19 challenge, Hong Kong has put in place a surveillance programme with more than 300,000 samples tested for COVID-19 to date. It has just been extended to cover bus drivers for better disease prevention and control.
 
     News.gov.hk spoke to a Medical Technologist and a Scientific Officer at the Department of Health's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch to find out why accurate testing and early detection are considered key to the virus battle.  
 
     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (June 25) in text and video format.




Tuen Mun Hospital announces incident of water seepage in ward

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (June 24) regarding an incident of water seepage at the ceiling in a ward:
      
     Minor water seepage was found on the ceiling of a male surgical ward on the fourth floor of TMH main block . Right above that ward was a paediatric isolation ward housed with COVID-19 patients.
      
     Inspection revealed that water seeped through the floor of the bathroom of the paediatric isolation ward on the fifth floor to the ceiling of the surgical ward on the fourth floor causing water droplets dripped on two patients on June 22 and 23 respectively.
      
     TMH has reported the incident to the Centre for Health Protection. After a review of the cause of the incident and patients’ conditions by relevant experts, the infection risk was considered to be low. As a precautionary measure, the patient who had water drip onto his spectacles has been transferred to an isolation ward and placed under quarantine and medical surveillance each for 14 days. The other patient, who had water drip onto his ankle, has been transferred to a single room and placed under 28 days of medical surveillance. 
      
     In order to carry out the water leakage examination, TMH has arranged the six paediatric patients concerned and 12 surgical patients to be transferred to other wards. Comprehensive renovation will be arranged for the fifth floor paediatric isolation ward and the work will last for several weeks. Paediatric patients who require isolation will be admitted to another isolation ward. An overhaul in other isolation wards will also be arranged in phases as planned.
      
     TMH apologises to the affected patients. The incident has been reported to Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System.




Appeal for information on a body found case in Tseung Kwan O

     Police today (June 24) appeal to the public for information on a body found case (case no.: CCDI-870/2019) in Tseung Kwan O on September 22, 2019 upon the request of the Coroners.
      
     Police are actively investigating into the above case in accordance with the Coroners Ordinance (CO) (Cap 504).
      
     Section 9(1) and 9(2) of (CO) specify that a coroner may investigate a reportable death or any other death of a person which the coroner considers should be investigated in the public interest, and that the purpose of such an investigation shall be to investigate the cause of and the circumstances connected with the death of a person.
      
     At 11.23am that day, a 15-year-old girl surnamed Chan was found floating at Junk Bay, Tseung Kwan O and was certified dead at scene.
      
     Police appeal to anyone who has information on the incident to send a letter to officers of the Regional Crime Unit Team 2 of Eastern District (Address: 343 Java Road, Hong Kong), or the Coroner's Court of West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts.




CE appoints Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (June 24) signed the instrument of appointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung  as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from January 11, 2021, and reported the appointment to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) for the record, completing the relevant legal procedures for the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal.

     According to Article 48(6) of the Basic Law, the Chief Executive shall appoint or remove judges of the courts at all levels in accordance with legal procedures. With regard to the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mrs Lam, in accordance with Article 88 of the Basic Law, accepted in March this year the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the appointment of Mr Justice Cheung as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, and obtained the endorsement of the appointment by the Legislative Council last week. Mrs Lam has also reported the appointment to the NPCSC for the record in accordance with Article 90(2) of the Basic Law.

     "I am pleased to formally appoint Mr Justice Cheung as the next Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal to succeed Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, who will be retiring in January next year. The rule of law and judicial independence are core values of Hong Kong. With his exceptional qualities, distinguished leadership and vision, coupled with his reputation in the Judiciary and the legal sector, I have no doubt that Mr Justice Cheung will lead the Judiciary to ensure the continuation of the rule of law and judicial independence under 'One Country, Two Systems'," Mrs Lam said.