Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 14) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The case involves an 8-year-old boy with good past health, who has presented with fever, vomiting, confusion and convulsion since January 12. He was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on the same day and was subsequently transferred to QEH’s paediatric intensive care unit for further management yesterday (January 13). He is now in a serious condition.

     His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. 

     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     “Hong Kong has entered the 2018-19 winter influenza season. We anticipate that local seasonal influenza activity will continue to rise in the coming weeks and remain at an elevated level for some time. Members of the public should remain vigilant for protection against influenza,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Particularly, children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. They should promptly seek medical advice if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people,” the spokesman added.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible for personal protection, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. For more information, please visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly Flu Express. read more

     An arboricultural contractor and a lorry driver illegally deposited waste wood and soil in Tai O on Lantau Island. They were fined a total of $15,000 at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (January 14) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     Last June, a member of the public reported to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) that someone unloaded waste tree cuttings and soil from a lorry at Lung Shing Street in Tai O, covering an area of about 10.5 square metres. It posed danger and inconvenience to pedestrians and caused environmental hygiene problems. With the licence plate information provided by the member of the public, the EPD was able to trace the arboricultural contractor and the lorry driver involved. The department subsequently prosecuted them in accordance with the WDO after collecting sufficient evidence.

     The EPD spokesman reminded contractors and members of the transportation sectors to dispose of construction or other commercial and industrial waste to the Government waste management facilities in accordance with the law, otherwise, they may be prosecuted by the EPD.  According to the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months’ imprisonment may be imposed on the second or subsequent convictions.

     The spokesman urged the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of construction or other commercial and industrial wastes. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released today (January 14) the key analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund at the end of December 2018.
 
     Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, increased during the month by HK$19.0 billion to HK$3,488.5 billion.
 
     The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government‑issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$1,632.6 billion.
 
     Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$261.8 billion.
 
     The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).
 
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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month.  Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS).  The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency.  For the month of January 2019, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

     â€‹The main contractor of a building construction site in Sai Ying Pun, Hop Kee Construction Company Limited, and its subcontractor, Kong Wing Engineering Company, illegally used powered mechanical equipment to carry out works on a Sunday. They were fined a total of $20,000 by Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (January 14) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a member of the public in March last year about the noise nuisance generated by a construction site at the junction of Chung Ching Street and Ki Ling Lane in Sai Ying Pun on Sunday. Upon investigation, EPD staff found that the main contractor and subcontractor of the construction site concerned did not apply for a construction noise permit (CNP) and illegally used powered mechanical equipment to carry out works on a Sunday, including the use of an excavator and generator to erect site hoarding. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD prosecuted the main contractor and its subcontractor in accordance with the NCO.
      
     The NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest. An EPD spokesman stressed that construction contractors should schedule works for the daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible, so as to minimise noise nuisance to the surroundings. If the construction work has to be conducted during restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), the contractor has to obtain a valid CNP from the EPD. Only specified powered mechanical equipment could be used for the construction works and contractors must also implement noise mitigation measures to minimise noise nuisance as stipulated by the CNP. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions. read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, at a media session after attending the Plenary Session of the 12th Asian Financial Forum this morning (January 14): … read more