The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 9) released the latest grading of water quality for nine gazetted beaches. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers from November 1 for the winter season. 
        
     Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and two as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:        

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

 
* Big Wave Bay Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach remain closed until further notice due to the severe damage brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut earlier. 
      
     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.
      
     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 websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline 2511 6666.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 in a female ward for severe intellectual disability, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital made the following update today (November 9).
 
     One more 25-year-old patient in the ward has presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results were positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 3. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation and is in a stable condition.
 
     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 case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

     The Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra (HKYCO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold the Singapore Tour Pre-tour cum Annual Concert at 3pm on December 9 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The programme will be a pre-tour performance for the Hong Kong audience to enjoy musical pieces selected from the Singapore concert tour programme. The young orchestra members will showcase their talents by playing a wide-range of Chinese orchestra repertoire.
 
     The concert will be conducted by the instructors of the Music Office Kwok Kin-ming and Tsui Ying-fai. Together with the orchestra, guest soloists Yeung Ka-wai (erhu) and Chew Lixian (sheng) will perform "Ode to King of Western Chu", which was composed for erhu, and "Rhapsody of Tianshan", a musical piece fully demonstrating advantages of keyed sheng, respectively. "Ode to King of Western Chu" praises the Chinese character of courage and loyalty in love, while "Rhapsody of Tianshan" with its strong rhythm, conjures joyful images of the bold Tianshan people.
 
     The repertoire also includes "The City that Never Sleeps" from "Four Seasons", which reflects the vitality of Hong Kong throughout the night; "Commander Mu Guiying" with its heroine spirit and Peking opera musical elements; "June – A Night in Pasir Ris", which was inspired by the spectacular scenery of Pasir Ris, a tourist destination in Singapore; the symphonic poem "Flowing Water", which mimics the sound of water from surging to still; and "Somewhere Far Away – Medley of Folksongs from China's West" arranged by merging four famous songs from "China's West".
 
     Established in 1978, the HKYCO has around 90 members and has toured in Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, France, Australia, the US and Canada. In mid-December, the HKYCO will once again visit Singapore and stage an exchange performance with the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO). Guest erhu soloist Yeung Ka-wai studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts majoring erhu and gaohu. She has won awards in various competitions and is currently principal of the erhu section in the HKYCO. Guest sheng soloist Chew Lixian, an active member in the Chinese orchestra sector of Singapore, performs extensively with various orchestras. She is currently the sheng principal of the SNYCO.
 
     Tickets priced at $55, $75 and $95 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 7523 or 2582 5311 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/upcoming/hkycho-singapore.html.

     The Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra (HKYCO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold the Singapore Tour Pre-tour cum Annual Concert at 3pm on December 9 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The programme will be a pre-tour performance for the Hong Kong audience to enjoy musical pieces selected from the Singapore concert tour programme. The young orchestra members will showcase their talents by playing a wide-range of Chinese orchestra repertoire.
 
     The concert will be conducted by the instructors of the Music Office Kwok Kin-ming and Tsui Ying-fai. Together with the orchestra, guest soloists Yeung Ka-wai (erhu) and Chew Lixian (sheng) will perform "Ode to King of Western Chu", which was composed for erhu, and "Rhapsody of Tianshan", a musical piece fully demonstrating advantages of keyed sheng, respectively. "Ode to King of Western Chu" praises the Chinese character of courage and loyalty in love, while "Rhapsody of Tianshan" with its strong rhythm, conjures joyful images of the bold Tianshan people.
 
     The repertoire also includes "The City that Never Sleeps" from "Four Seasons", which reflects the vitality of Hong Kong throughout the night; "Commander Mu Guiying" with its heroine spirit and Peking opera musical elements; "June – A Night in Pasir Ris", which was inspired by the spectacular scenery of Pasir Ris, a tourist destination in Singapore; the symphonic poem "Flowing Water", which mimics the sound of water from surging to still; and "Somewhere Far Away – Medley of Folksongs from China's West" arranged by merging four famous songs from "China's West".
 
     Established in 1978, the HKYCO has around 90 members and has toured in Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, France, Australia, the US and Canada. In mid-December, the HKYCO will once again visit Singapore and stage an exchange performance with the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO). Guest erhu soloist Yeung Ka-wai studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts majoring erhu and gaohu. She has won awards in various competitions and is currently principal of the erhu section in the HKYCO. Guest sheng soloist Chew Lixian, an active member in the Chinese orchestra sector of Singapore, performs extensively with various orchestras. She is currently the sheng principal of the SNYCO.
 
     Tickets priced at $55, $75 and $95 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 7523 or 2582 5311 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/upcoming/hkycho-singapore.html.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (November 10).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.