Police today (January 4) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Lok Ma Chau.

     Lo Sun-wah, aged 58, went missing after he left a rehabilitation home on Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road in Lok Ma Chau on December 20, 2018 afternoon. Staff of the rehabilitation home made a report to Police on the next day.

     He is about 1.68 metres tall, 54 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short straight grey hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, brown trousers, and black and white sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3127 or 6273 5787, or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport conducted a visit to the Central – Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link (CWB) today (January 4) to better understand the latest development of the project before its commissioning.

     The CWB is 4.5 kilometres long of which 3.7km is in form of a tunnel, and connects the Rumsey Street Flyover in Central and the Island Eastern Corridor in North Point. Members first received a briefing by the Director of Highways, Mr Jimmy Chan, on the CWB project and the arrangements for its commissioning. Members then visited the CWB Tunnel to learn more its key features.

     Members learnt that the CWB Tunnel will introduce the first air purification system for use in road tunnels in Hong Kong, which can effectively remove at least 80 per cent of the respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen dioxide, resulting in air purification. Members also expressed concerns on issues relating to the effects of CWB in diverting traffic flows and the transport arrangements in the vicinity of the entrances and exits of CWB near Wan Chai and Tin Hau.

     Stage one of CWB will be commissioned on January 20. CWB will be fully commissioned after the opening of the carriageway connected with the Rumsey Street Flyover westbound.

     Members participating in the visit included the Panel Chairman, Mr Chan Han-pan; the Deputy Panel Chairman, Mr Jeremy Tam; Panel members Ms Claudia Mo, Mr Michael Tien, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Charles Mok, Mr Poon Siu-ping, Dr Cheng Chung-tai, Mr Gary Fan, Mr Au Nok-hin, Mr Tony Tse; as well as non-Panel members Mr James To, Mr Kwok Wai-keung and Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Parainfluenza Virus Type 2 in a male ward for severe intellectual disability, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital gave the following update today (January 4):
 
     One more 45-year-old patient and a staff member in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. An appropriate viral test was arranged for the patient and the test result was positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 2. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition. The staff member has recovered and has resumed duty.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 4) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From December 28, 2018, to January 3, 2019, the CHP confirmed four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Malaysia (two epidemiologically linked cases), Maldives (one case) and Vietnam (one case) during the incubation period.
 
     As of yesterday (January 3), 163 cases had been recorded in 2018, of which 29 were local cases and 134 were imported cases. In 2019, four imported cases of DF had been confirmed.
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. The latest figures revealed that 84 830 cases had been recorded in Thailand in 2018 and 3 301 in Singapore since December 31, 2017.

     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 loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. 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 may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 4) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches which are open all year round for swimming. 
   
     Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.