The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) today (September 21) announced an incident of delayed follow-up of investigation report as follows:
 
     A 53-year-old male patient was injured and admitted to the orthopaedics and traumatology (O&T) ward of KWH for treatment on September 15, 2017. Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) were arranged on the same day. The results showed that the patient had a left scapula fracture. The patient was treated and discharged on September 16, 2017. He was given a follow-up at the KWH O&T Specialist Out-patient clinic on October 3 and November 14 of the same year.
 
     On August 10, 2018, the patient was admitted to the Medicine and Geriatrics ward of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for severe dizziness and dehydration. During his hospitalisation, joint consultation with oncologist and further examination were arranged for the patient. On September 7, the oncologist at the Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOPC) reviewed all the medical reports of the patient, including the report of the CT examination performed in KWH in 2017. The oncologist noted that, in addition to the findings on the left scapula fracture, a right upper lobe nodule was also reported but no further investigation had been arranged. PMH conveyed the findings to the KWH O&T team immediately.
 
     KWH met the patient and his family to explain the incident. An apology was extended and necessary support will be rendered to the patient and his family. The patient is being followed-up by the PMH Oncology Department and has commenced targeted therapy.
 
     KWH has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) via the Advance Incident Reporting System. An investigation panel will be formed and the report is to be submitted to HAHO in eight weeks. Subsequent to the incident, healthcare staff have been reminded to prudently review patients' investigation results with clear documentation and timely follow-up arrangements as required.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Treasury Markets Summit 2018, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Treasury Markets Association (TMA), was held today (September 21) in Hong Kong. 

     In his keynote address to the Summit, the Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Norman Chan, shared his view that crypto-assets would unlikely become an alternative form of money in the future. He explained why such crypto-assets lack "moneyness" while presenting various challenges to supervisors, policy makers and law enforcement agents. Mr Chan said that industry practitioners, regulators and policy makers, while embracing new technology and innovation, must also guard against the risk of overlooking the nature of the financial transactions and the risks that are inherent in these transactions under the pretext of technological advancement. In his address, Mr Chan also pointed out that overseers of payment systems should take proactive steps to ensure that large value as well as small value retail payment systems, making use of commercial bank or central bank balances, are efficient, convenient and at low cost to the users. In this connection, he referred to the launch of the Faster Payment System which will provide instantaneous and free P2P payments, making use of either mobile phone number or email address.
 
     The Summit's panels focused on three important topics, including global economic developments, financial market cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the potential impact of virtual banking and other fintech advancements on traditional treasury operations.
 
     Speakers of the panels included the Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA and Chairman of TMA Executive Board, Mr Howard Lee; the General Manager, Head of Investment, Investment Management, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Chordio Chan; and the Chief Executive Officer of TMA, Mr Jack Cheung. They were joined by other distinguished guest speakers from the financial industry.
 
     The Summit was attended by over 300 local and overseas participants, including representatives from regulatory authorities, Government officials, treasury market practitioners, asset managers as well as senior executives and professionals from banks, other financial institutions and corporates.

    

     The Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Tai Hang
————

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from September 23 to 25 to facilitate the holding of Fire Dragon Dance.

I. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed daily from 6pm to 11.59pm:

– Lin Fa Kung Street West;
– Lily Street;
– Wun Sha Street;
– Ormsby Street;
– Brown Street;
– Warren Street;
– Jones Street;
– Lai Yin Street;
– School Street;
– King Street;
– Shepherd Street;
– Sun Chun Street; and
– Second Lane.

II. Traffic diversions
     
     The following traffic diversions will be implemented in connection with the above road closure:

– Vehicles along westbound Tung Lo Wan Road cannot turn left to Wun Sha Street, Brown Street and Jones Street; and
– Vehicles along eastbound Tung Lo Wan Road cannot turn right to Wun Sha Street, and must make a U-turn at Lin Fa Kung Street West.

III. Suspension of parking spaces
     
     All parking spaces, including disabled parking spaces on the following streets will be suspended daily from 4pm to 11.59pm:

– Lin Fa Kung Street West;
– Lily Street;
– Wun Sha Street;
– Ormsby Street;
– Brown Street;
– Warren Street;
– Jones Street;
– Lai Yin Street;
– School Street;
– King Street;
– Shepherd Street;
– Sun Chun Street;
– Tung Lo Wan Road; and
– Second Lane.

Causeway Bay
——————-

I. Pedestrianisation

     From 12 noon to 11.59pm daily on September 22, 23 and 25, and from 4pm on September 24 to 3am the following day, pedestrianisation will be implemented on the following roads:

– Lockhart Road east of Cannon Street;
– East Point Road; and
– Great George Street west of Paterson Street.

II. Road closure
     
     Depending on crowd situation, the following roads may be closed from 7pm to 11.59pm daily on September 22, 23 and 25, and from 7pm on September 24 to 3am the following day:

(a)

– Sugar Street;
– Paterson Street between Kingston Street and Great George Street;
– Gloucester Road service road between the ramp leading from Victoria Park Road flyover and Causeway Road, except for vehicles from Tai Hang Road flyover heading to northbound Gloucester Road;
– Westbound Kingston Street between Gloucester Road and Paterson Street;
– Great George Street east of Paterson Street; and
– Hing Fat Street will be closed intermittently, except for franchised buses and green minibuses.

(b)

– Cleveland Street between Gloucester Road and Kingston Road;
– Eastbound Kingston Street between Paterson Street and Gloucester Road service road; and
– Paterson Street between Kingston Street and Gloucester Road service road.

III. Traffic diversions
     
     The following traffic diversions will be implemented in connection with the road closure in part II(a):

– Traffic along southbound Paterson Street must turn left to eastbound Kingston Street;
– Traffic along Cleveland Street cannot turn right to westbound Kingston Street;
– Traffic along Gloucester Road and northbound Tai Hang Road flyover cannot turn left to westbound Kingston Street; and
– Traffic from Victoria Park Road flyover heading for southbound Gloucester Road will be diverted to turn right to westbound Gloucester Road service road.

IV. Suspension of car parks and parking spaces

– Hing Fat Street Public Car Park, except for disabled parking spaces, will be suspended from 5pm on September 24 to 3am the following day, and from 7pm to 11.59pm on September 25;
– Access to car parks at Great George Street will be prohibited from 7pm to 11.59pm daily on September 22, 23 and 25, and from 7pm on September 24 to 3am the following day; and
– Disabled parking spaces at northbound Gloucester Road near Sugar Street will be suspended from 7pm to 11.59pm daily on September 22, 23 and 25, and from 7pm on September 24 to 3am the following day.

V. Learner drivers prohibition
     
     The following roads will be prohibited to all learner drivers from 7pm to 11.59pm daily on September 22, 23 and 25, and from 7pm on September 24 to 3am the following day:

– Eastbound Leighton Road;
– Tin Lok Lane;
– Tung Lo Wan Road;
– Hing Fat Street;
– Electric Road between Wing Hing Street and Yacht Street;
– Northbound Morrison Hill Road;
– Hennessy Road east of Marsh Road;
– Tin Hau Temple Road between Fortress Hill Road and Causeway Road; and
– Causeway Road.

The Peak
————

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 4.30pm on September 24 to 2.30am the following day, and from 4.30pm to 11pm on September 25:

– Traffic along Peak Road uphill section heading to Harlech Road, Lugard Road and Mount Austin Road will be diverted downhill via the slip road beside the car park entrance at the Peak Galleria, except for residents’ vehicles or vehicles with permits;
– Lugard Road, Harlech Road and Mount Austin Road will be closed, except for residents’ vehicles or vehicles with permits; and
– Metered and motorcycle parking spaces at Victoria Peak Garden and Mount Austin Road will be suspended.

Central
———

– Tramway Lane between Garden Road and the office of World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong will be closed daily from 12 noon to 11.59pm from September 24 to 25, except for taxis and franchised buses; and
– All metered parking spaces on Tramway Lane will be suspended during the period.

Beach areas
—————–

A. Repulse Bay
     
     Depending on crowd and traffic conditions, the following road closure and traffic diversions may be implemented from September 24 to 25:

I. Road closure

     Public light buses cannot enter Beach Road from Repulse Bay Road.

     South Bay Road south of South Bay Paths will be closed if the car parks are full, except for residents’ vehicles and public transports.

II. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along eastbound Repulse Bay Road cannot make a U-turn at its junction with South Bay Road;
– Vehicles will be banned from waiting along Repulse Bay Road outside the car park if it is full; and
– When the car parks on South Bay Road are full, traffic on Beach Road will be diverted to northbound South Bay Road to leave the area, except for residents’ vehicles.

III. Suspension of parking spaces
     
     The following parking spaces will be suspended from 4pm on September 24 to 6am the following day:

– All metered and motorcycle parking spaces on Island Road, except disabled parking spaces; and
– All metered and motorcycle parking spaces on Beach Road.

B. Shek O

     Sixteen parking spaces in Shek O Beach Public Car Park will be suspended from 9am on September 24 to 0.30am on September 26.
     
     Depending on crowd and traffic conditions, the following road closure may be implemented from September 23 to 26:

– Shek O Headland Road will be closed, except for residents’ vehicles;
– Vehicles will be banned from waiting outside the car parks at Big Wave Bay and Shek O once they are full; and
– Big Wave Bay Road will be closed, except for vehicles with Closed Road Permit.

C. Stanley
     
     Depending on crowd and traffic conditions, the following road closure may be implemented from September 24 to 25:

– Stanley Beach Road will be closed if the car parks are full, except for residents’ vehicles and public transports; and
– Wong Ma Kok Path will be closed if the public parking spaces are full, except for residents’ vehicles.

Tuen Mun
————-

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 5pm to 5am the following day daily from September 21 to 25:

– Golden Beach Path;
– The unnamed access road leading to the public car park at Cafeteria Old Beach;
– Tsing Yan Street between Castle Peak Road and the entrance of the public car park at Kadoorie Beach; and

– The unnamed access road leading to the public car park at Butterfly Beach.

Tsuen Wan
—————

     Tai Mo Shan Road and the road section at Shing Mun Country Park between Pineapple Dam and Main Dam will be closed from 5pm to 3am the following day daily from September 22 to 25, except for residents’ vehicles.

     The car park of Tai Mo Shan Country Park will be suspended from 5pm to 3am the following day daily from September 22 to 25.

Ma On Shan
—————–

     Depending on crowd and traffic conditions, the following roads may be closed from 4.30pm to 3am the following day daily from September 23 to 25:

– Ma On Shan Tsuen Road south of its turnaround, except for residents’ vehicles;
– Lok Wo Sha Lane north of its junction with Sai Sha Road, except for residents’ vehicles and trucks returning to the car park adjacent to Lok Wo Sha Lane; and
– Yiu Sha Road north of its junction with Wu Kai Sha Road roundabout, except for residents’ vehicles and vehicles returning to the car park at the end of Yiu Sha Road.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 21) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) in Pok Oi Hospital (POH), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     The male patient, aged 71, was admitted to POH on July 11 for underlying illness and has developed fever and shortness of breath since August 29. The clinical diagnosis is pneumonia and he is in a serious condition.
 
     His sputum sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 upon laboratory testing.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period.
 
     "Epidemiological investigations with the hospital are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs have been collected from potential sources for laboratory testing," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Tracing of contacts including staff and in-patients therein is ongoing and those identified will be put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and in-patients, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing.
 
     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 these devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not tap water. Also, clean and maintain them regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water. 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;
• 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 medical advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap) water to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain them 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. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     2. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     3. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     4. 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 following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     No open or closed meetings of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Committees will be held in the LegCo Complex during the week from September 24 to 28.