Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 2) 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 October 26 to November 1, the CHP recorded three imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (one case), the Philippines (one case) and multiple countries and areas (one case, who had been to India and Taiwan) during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (November 1), 135 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 106 were imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Thailand (32), Mainland China (22) and the Philippines (17). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 revealed that 70 146 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 2 396 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 153 in Japan. In Taiwan, 169 local cases have been recorded to date in 2018.
 
     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 light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
   

     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) 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. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, conducted the last day of her visit to Japan in Tokyo today (November 2). She met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Secretary-General of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party separately, and attended a forum to promote business opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 

     At noon, Mrs Lam met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Taro Kono. She thanked him for inviting her to visit Japan and the assistance offered in the arrangement of the visit, resulting in a fruitful trip for her. She pointed out that Hong Kong and Japan have long maintained a close connection in many areas including economic affairs, trade and tourism, and that this visit has helped to further strengthen co-operation between the two sides, particularly in innovation and technology (I&T). She said that during her stay in Japan, she met with representatives of a number of research institutions, universities and the industry to introduce to them the advantages and prospects of Hong Kong’s scientific research, and that she realises that both sides are keen to further their co-operation, including on how to develop an international I&T hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. She added that she believes that the visit has been a good new start and looks forward to maintaining close contact with various sectors in Japan to implement co-operation in different areas.

     After the meeting, the two sides issued a joint statement expressing the aspirations of both parties to leverage on Hong Kong’s role as an international trade and financial centre as well as its unique advantage of “one country, two systems” to further deepen and broaden practical co-operation. The statement also states both sides’ specific views on trade, tourism, I&T and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as sports and culture.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam met with the Secretary-General of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Mr Toshihiro Nikai. Noting that many lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party are members of the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League and have been supportive of Hong Kong’s development all along, she said that progress has indeed been seen in exchanges and co-operation between the two places at the government and business levels as well as the people-to-people level during the party’s time in power. She expressed the hope that the Liberal Democratic Party would continue its support to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and Japan.

     In the morning, Mrs Lam also attended a forum on financial co-operation between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Japanese enterprises organised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, and delivered a speech. She briefed more than 120 participants at the forum on the background of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and its favourable conditions for development, including the country’s support, the unique advantage of “one country, two systems”, infrastructure connectivity in the area and complementarity among the cities. She said that with sound scientific research capabilities, outstanding technology talents and world-class universities, Hong Kong has allocated substantial resources and implemented a host of measures to complement the development of the Greater Bay Area as an international I&T hub. She said that with Japan’s advanced technologies, she hopes that relevant Japanese enterprises will establish a presence in Hong Kong to jointly seize the opportunities brought about by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     Mrs Lam will conclude her visit and return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

read more

     The Education Bureau announced today (November 2) the 2018/19 round of application for the Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) under the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund (SPEF).

     As one of the major support measures to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary sector, the QESS was launched in November 2012 with the aim of enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the sector. The Scheme currently supports three project categories, namely theme-based, open-ended and industrial attachment projects.

     All applications are considered by the independent QESS Sub-committee established under the SPEF Steering Committee. In the 2017/18 round of application, 11 out of 31 applications were approved with a total earmarked grant of about $26.8 million. The approved projects aimed to enhance internship support, improve students’ learning experience, enhance students’ language proficiency and so forth.

     The 2018/19 round of application invites proposals on projects to be launched in the 2019/20 academic year. For theme-based projects, applicants are allowed, as last year, to set their own themes as long as the proposals are collaborative in nature, i.e. proposed and undertaken by more than one eligible institution, to foster closer collaboration and synergy among institutions and benefit the sector as widely as possible.

     For open-ended projects, applicants should submit applications within the scope of the QESS, which mainly includes the following:

(1) improving the overall learning experience and language proficiency of students;

(2) developing and improving teaching methodology and practices, including development of assessment strategies;

(3) strengthening and improving quality assurance and related measures; and

(4) enhancing student support and career guidance services, including support for non-Chinese speaking students and students with special educational needs.

     For industrial attachment projects, applicants should submit proposals with the aim of increasing students’ employability by sourcing more internship opportunities for post-secondary students, and/or enhancing relevant institutional support for students.
     
     The deadline for the 2018/19 round of application is February 28, 2019. All non-profit-making education institutions offering full-time locally accredited self-financing sub-degree or bachelor’s degree (including top-up degree) programmes are eligible to apply. Other related bodies such as the federations of these education institutions and quality assurance agencies may also apply.

     Further details about the QESS are available at the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education at
www.cspe.edu.hk/en/Overview-Measures-Fund-QESS.html. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 2) closely monitoring eight additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including three deaths, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between September 17 and October 15, 2018, and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
 
     According to the WHO, among the seven male patients and one female patient, aged 22 to 66, seven of them had underlying illnesses, two had contact with camels and consumed camel milk, and four had contact with previously confirmed patients.

     According to the latest information, 2 262 cases have been reported to the WHO (with 803 deaths), including 2 043 in 10 Middle East countries comprising 1 884 in the KSA, 87 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 19 in Qatar, 11 in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, two in Lebanon, and one each in Yemen and Bahrain.

     “We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus,” the spokesman said.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 2) 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: 
    

Clear Water Bay Second Beach*	Repulse Bay Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach*	Silverstrand Beach
Golden Beach	Stanley Main Beach*
Middle Bay Beach*

 
Grade 2 beaches are:
 

Big Wave Bay Beach*

Silver Mine Bay Beach

 
* 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. read more