The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 17) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
     From April 3 to 16, the CHP confirmed one imported DF case. The patient had been to Thailand during the incubation period.
 
     Separately, one local case (announced on April 15) has been recorded so far this year.
 
     As of yesterday (April 16), a total of 20 cases of DF had been recorded in 2020 (comprising 19 imported cases and one local case). The imported cases were from countries including the Philippines (seven), Indonesia (five), Thailand (three), Malaysia (two) and Vietnam (two).
 
     The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas. According to the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, as of March 31, 19 cases had been recorded in Guangdong in 2020. In Taiwan, as of yesterday (April 16), 50 imported cases (none local) had been recorded in 2020.
 
     Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf). Members of the public should stay vigilant and carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures.
 
     ​"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 
• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
 
     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 
• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
 
     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.  

     A woman who went missing in Kowloon City has been located.

     Yang Qiong, aged 44, went missing after she left her residence on Tsun Fat Street on April 3 morning. Her family made a report to Police on April 5.

     The woman turned up at Kowloon City Police Station with her family to cancel the missing person report last night (April 16). 

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (April 17) invited tenders for the contract for Fanling North New Development Area, Phase 1: Site Formation and Infrastructure Works (Contract No. ND/2019/07). 

     The works are scheduled to commence in August 2020 and will take about 40 months to complete. The works mainly comprise:
 

• site formation of land under the First Phase of Fanling North New Development Area; and
• construction of engineering infrastructure including drainage and sewerage works, waterworks, roadworks (including carriageway, footpaths and cycle tracks), noise barrier works, slope works and landscaping works. 

     The CEDD has appointed AECOM Asia Company Limited as the consultant to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can obtain the tender forms and other particulars from the company at 12/F, Grand Central Plaza, Tower 2, 138 Shatin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin.

     The invitation to tender was gazetted today. The closing time for the tender is noon on June 12, 2020.

     Details of the tender notice are available at the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html).  For enquiries, please call AECOM Asia Company Limited at 3922 9000 during office hours.

     The Government announced today (April 17) the appointment of four new members to the Lump Sum Grant Steering Committee (LSGSC) for a term of two years with effect from April 22, 2020.
 
     They are Ms Jasmine Chan Hoi-yan, Mr Cliff Choi Kim-wah, Ms Chung Wai-ling and Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah.
 
     Ms Jasmine Chan Hoi-yan is in the field of marketing and public affairs.
 
     Mr Cliff Choi Kim-wah is the Business Director of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training and Manpower Planning.
 
     Ms Chung Wai-ling is the Chairperson of the Community Care and Nursing Home Workers General Union. She is also a member of the Task Force for Review on Enhancement of Lump Sum Grant Subvention System.
 
     Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah is an accountant and the Founder of Webster Ng & Co. He is also a member of the Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee.
 
     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, said he looked forward to the valuable advice from the new members on the implementation of the Lump Sum Grant Subvention System (LSGSS). He also thanked the four outgoing members for their sterling contributions and devotion to the LSGSC over the past years. They are Ms Ann Au Chor-kwan, Ms Anna May Chan Mei-lan, Mr Chua Hoi-wai and Mr Matthew Lee Siu-chung.
 
     The LSGSC is chaired by the Director of Social Welfare and comprises 17 non-official members and two ex-officio members. Of the non-official members, six are independent members and the remaining 11 members have backgrounds related to the LSGSS, including members of management of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), service users and staff unions.
 
     The LSGSC monitors the implementation of the LSGSS and identifies areas for improvement. It also monitors the implementation of the recommendations in the Review Report on the LSGSS and facilitates sharing of information and experience among the Social Welfare Department, NGOs, their staff and service users.
 
     The membership list of the LSGSC with effect from April 22, 2020, is as follows:
 
Chairman
Director of Social Welfare
 
Non-official members
Ms Jasmine Chan Hoi-yan
Ms Tammy Chan Yee-ching
Mr Francis Chau Yin-ming
Mr Cliff Choi Kim-wah
Ms Chung Wai-ling
Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun
Ms Cynthia Lam Ming-wai
Ms Alice Lau Oi-sze
Dr Jane Lee Ching-yee
Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung
Ms Teresa Lee Siu-hong
Miss Irene Leung Pui-yiu
Mr Lun Chi-wai
Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah
Ms Rebecca Ng Pui-ling
Mr Sin Kin-ming
Dr Ricky Szeto Wing-fu
 
Ex-officio members
Principal Assistant Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Welfare)1
Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Subventions)

     The following press release is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
      
     To maintain social distancing, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (April 17) that the following public service arrangements will be implemented on all working days starting from April 20 (Monday) until further notice:
      

• All Estate Management Offices (EMOs) of public housing estates will be open from 10am to 4pm on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to provide limited general management services for public housing estates and handle cases with prior appointments. For enquiries outside the opening hours, residents may call the contact telephone numbers provided by the respective EMOs, and staff will render assistance as much as practicable. EMOs' shroff offices will be closed. Residents can pay rent at more than 1 000 locations such as convenience stores and supermarkets. They may also make payments via the Payment by Phone Service. For details, please browse the following website: www.housingauthority.gov.hk/en/public-housing/rent-related-matters/rent-payment-methods/index.html;

• The following subsidised housing offices will provide limited services from 10am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:
       – The White Form Secondary Market Scheme Unit in the Lok Fu Customer Service Centre;
       – The Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Secondary Market Scheme Unit in Lung Cheung Office Block, Wong Tai Sin; and
       – The Home Assistance Loan Unit in Lung Cheung Office Block, Wong Tai Sin;
        
• The HOS Sales Unit in the Lok Fu Customer Service Centre and the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Sales Unit in Kwun Tong will continue to be open only for applicants with prior appointments;
        
• The Public Rental Housing (PRH) application office in the Lok Fu Customer Service Centre will be open from 8am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to provide limited services in relation to matters involving PRH applications;
        
• The Clearance Housing Office and the Redevelopment Sub-section offices (Pak Tin and Mei Tung) will be open from 10am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to provide limited services in relation to matters involving clearance housing or redevelopment; and
   
• The Shroff Office on the Ground Floor of the HA Headquarters will be open from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays to provide limited services. All payment collection services (including premium payments by Subsidised Sale Flats Scheme owners to enable them to complete transactions of their flats) with the exception of rental payment collection will be in operation.

     In addition, due to the above work arrangements, the HA may not be able to reply to public enquiries, requests or complaints in a timely manner.

     For enquiries, please call the HA hotline on 2712 2712.