The Buildings Department approved 13 building plans in September, with five on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon and six in the New Territories.
 
     Of the approved plans, seven were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial developments, and two were for community services developments.
 
     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on 11 building projects which, when completed, will provide 20 799 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 692 units, and 12 912 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of works for five building projects.
 
     The department also issued 18 occupation permits, with eight on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.
 
     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 112 010 sq m involving 1 095 units, and 145 284 sq m was for non-domestic use.
 
     The declared cost of new buildings completed in September totalled about $8.6 billion.
 
     In addition, one demolition consent involving a building structure was issued.
 
     The department received 2 285 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in September and issued 1 079 removal orders on UBWs.
 
     The full version of the Monthly Digest for September can be viewed on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 19) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From November 11 to 17, four community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:
 

1. A female patient, aged 60 with good past health, who lives in Tower 2, Newton Harbour View, 2 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East;
2. A male patient, aged 83 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block 19, Baguio Villa (Upper) , 555 Victoria Road, Southern District;
3. A male patient, aged 86 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block B, Park View Court, 1 Lyttelton Road, Central and Western District; and
4. A male patient, aged 83 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Yuen Long Plaza, 249-251 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of November 17, 96 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity 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 get 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:
 

1. Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
2. Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
3. 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 the 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. 

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Mr Peter O'Neill, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, this morning (November 19).

     Mrs Lam congratulated Papua New Guinea on the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2018 Economic Leaders' Meeting and the related meetings, noting that it will boost the country's development. She said that Hong Kong is willing to strengthen exchanges and collaboration with Papua New Guinea and that Hong Kong can provide quality professional services and share its rich experience in city management with the country.

     While attending the APEC meetings, Mrs Lam held bilateral meetings with the leaders of a number of countries including Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam to explore opportunities for further co-operation. During a media interview, she reaffirmed the support of Hong Kong, a founding member of the World Trade Organization, for free trade and the multilateral trading system. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will also proactively formulate appropriate social policy initiatives to ensure inclusive development.

     Mrs Lam will depart for Hong Kong this afternoon.

      

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) officially launched Life Gym, Hong Kong's first positive living centre for male persons in custody, at Stanley Prison today (November 19). During its trial run, Life Gym will offer holistic psychological treatment programmes and male-responsive treatment strategies to help participating persons in custody desist from crime, with the aim of cultivating a mentality of positive living.

     The Chief Superintendent of Stanley Prison, Mr Wu Man-wai, said, "November 19 is International Men's Day. Similar to other international organisations, the CSD attends to the psychological and physical health of male persons in custody. I am pleased to witness the opening of Life Gym. I envision that participants will turn towards a positive life after their release, and better develop their potential after receiving treatment programmes."  

     The CSD's Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr Judy Hui, said, "Male persons in custody have their unique offending pathway, reflecting different rehabilitation needs and responses to treatment programmes. They are sometimes found to have distorted criminal thinking, violent tendencies, poor anger management or impulsive character, and can be susceptible to undesirable peer influence. The new centre makes use of diverse treatment approaches to help participants to change effectively."

     The treatment programme delivered at Life Gym will last from eight to 10 months during the trial run. Treatment is given in the form of group therapy and incorporates male-responsive innovative elements, including the first application of a virtual reality programme developed by the department for psychological treatment. With a view to increasing participants' motivation for change, the programmes include problem-solving tasks, communication skills, alternative thinking and tasks to enhance self-confidence and resilience, as well as a host of fun activities such as inspiring video games, board games and sport activities. It is hoped that Life Gym will cultivate a therapeutic environment that encourages mutual support among participants, and that participants will put the newly learned psychological skills into practice in daily life to achieve the ultimate goal of positive change. Through drawings and a variety of activities, a Clinical Psychologist can help persons in custody to set different life goals and use prosocial means to achieve these goals in order to stay away from crime and develop positive living.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 19) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.