The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 is 108.2 (down 0.4 against last Thursday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning April 20:
 

     In connection with recent cases related to phone scams, the Immigration Department (ImmD) remains very concerned and has been in close contact with the Hong Kong Police Force. In some cases, victims received pre-recorded voice calls from scammers posing as immigration officers informing them that they would have immigration restrictions imposed on them. Such calls were subsequently transferred to another scammer posing as a non-local law enforcement officer, who asked the call recipient to provide sensitive information such as personal particulars, bank account numbers and passwords.

     An ImmD spokesman again reminded members of the public that the ImmD does not make any pre-recorded voice calls to members of the public, and that the ImmD will not transfer calls to other non-local authorities and will not ask the call recipient to provide information such as bank account numbers and passwords.

     The public should remain vigilant and verify the identity of a caller when contacted by phone, and should not disclose personal information to others arbitrarily. If there is any doubt, please call the ImmD's enquiry hotline on 2824 6111 or email enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

     Anyone suspecting a scam should immediately report it to the Police.

     A girl who went missing in Mong Kok has been located.
      
     Chan Ka-yi, aged 13, went missing after she left her residence on Maple Street on April 7 night. Her family made a report to Police on April 9.
      
     The girl turned up to Police with her family to cancel the missing person report yesterday (April 13) afternoon. She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 14) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     From April 5 to 11, one community-acquired LD case was reported, involving a male patient, aged 63 with underlying illnesses, who resided in Chak Yu House, Tin Chak Estate, Tin Shui Wai.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposures and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     As of April 11 this year, 35 LD cases had been reported. In 2019 and 2018, there were 105 cases each year.
 
     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunities are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.
 
     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
 
     Immunocompromised persons should:
  
• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

    The public should observe the health advice below:
 
• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.