The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following announcement today (January 3):
 
     Five patients (aged 59 to 70) and one staff member in a female ward of the Department of Psychiatry in KH presented with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms since December 28, 2018. Clinical tests were arranged and the test results were positive for Influenza A. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation and in stable condition. The staff member has recovered.
 
     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 Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (January 3) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, the Most Reverend Michael Yeung.

     Professor Chan said, "Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Michael Yeung, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has offered a wide variety of social services over the territory. The services include the operation of a number of private hospitals and provision of hospital chaplaincies inside public hospitals, which extend appropriate support to the patients and their families in need.

     "I recently discussed healthcare developments in Hong Kong with the Most Reverend Yeung, and was moved by his insights as well as his affection for the disadvantaged. I was grieved to learn of the passing of the Most Reverend Yeung and would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH) made the following announcement today (January 3):
 
     Six patients (aged 45 to 70) in a male medical ward have presented with respiratory symptoms since December 24, 2018. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive to Influenza A. The patients are being treated under isolation and are in a stable condition.
 
     Enhanced 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.

     Hong Kong Customs seized a batch of suspected dangerous drugs including about 2.6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, 35 grams of suspected heroin and 360 tablets of suspected midazolam, with an estimated market value of about $500,000, at Hong Kong International Airport and Sham Shui Po on December 24, 2018, and yesterday (January 2).

     Customs officers inspected an air mail parcel from the United States on December 24 and seized the suspected cannabis buds contained in vacuum-sealed bags inside the parcel.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a man suspected to be in connection with the case in Sham Shui Po. Customs officers further seized about 35g of suspected heroin and 360 tablets of suspected midazolam at a residential premises in the district where a set of drug inhalation apparatus was also seized.

     The arrested man, aged 50, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 4).

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Customs also reminds that cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Ordinance. Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of food and drinks.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, was deeply grieved today (January 3) to learn of the passing of the Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong, the Most Reverend Michael Yeung.

     "The Most Reverend Michael Yeung devoted himself to Caritas Hong Kong, founded by the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. Its units have long been serving those in need across different walks of life with welfare assistance and community development services, including families, children, youths, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Caritas is also an active organiser of volunteering and charitable activities, making contributions to the well-being of the community. He has been the Government's close ally on alleviating poverty, elderly care and supporting the disadvantaged," Dr Law said.

     "The Most Reverend Michael Yeung served as the Chief Executive of Caritas Hong Kong from August 2003. Before joining the Government, I had the privilege to work with him as a member of the Council and the Board of Management as well as the Chairman of the Social Work Committee of Caritas Hong Kong. His utmost care for the last, the least and the lost paved the way for the development of Caritas Hong Kong under his distinguished leadership. He made valuable contributions to the organisation, the Catholic Diocese and Hong Kong."