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Author Archives: hksar gov

SDEV visits Sha Tin District

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited Sha Tin District today (August 24) and met with local District Council members. He also visited the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association Tiptop Training Centre.

     Accompanied by the District Officer (Sha Tin), Miss Amy Chan, Mr Wong first met with the Chairman of the Sha Tin District Council, Mr Ho Hau-cheung, and local District Council members to gain a better understanding of the latest developments and needs of the district. They also exchanged views on residents’ issues of concern.

     He then visited the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association Tiptop Training Centre to learn about the services provided by the centre and the facilities there. Tiptop Training Centre provides one-stop vocational training services for people with disabilities, including vocational skills training, prevocational assessment and training, and job matching.

     During his visit, Mr Wong toured the sheltered workshop of the centre and chatted with the trainees to learn more about their work and studies. He said he was glad to see that the centre is providing a wide range of training and other support services to its trainees, enhancing their employability and enabling them to get prepared for taking up employment in society in future. read more

East Asia

CHP investigates case of severe paediatric influenza A infection

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 24) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The six-year-old boy, with good past health, has presented with fever and sore throat since August 22. He developed convulsions on the next day and was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. He was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit for further management on the same day. He is now in a stable condition.
 
     His nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had received seasonal influenza vaccination in last December and had no travel history in the incubation period. His home contacts remain asymptomatic so far.
 
     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
 
     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

  • Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
  • Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
  • When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
  • Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
  • Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
  • Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
  • Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
  • Maintain good indoor ventilation;
  • Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
  • Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     For more information, please visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly Flu Express. read more

East Asia

Grading of beach water quality released

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 24) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches and one non-gazetted beach (Discovery Bay) that are open for swimming.
        
     Nineteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 19 as Fair (Grade 2) and one as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:       

Cafeteria New Beach Middle Bay Beach
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach Repulse Bay Beach
Chung Hom Kok Beach Silverstrand Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach South Bay Beach
Hap Mun Bay Beach St Stephen’s Beach
Hung Shing Yeh Beach Tong Fuk Beach
Kiu Tsui Beach Trio Beach
Kwun Yam Beach Turtle Cove Beach
Lo So Shing Beach Upper Cheung Sha Beach
Lower Cheung Sha Beach  
 
Grade 2 beaches are:
Anglers’ Beach Hoi Mei Wan Beach
Approach Beach Kadoorie Beach
Big Wave Bay Beach Lido Beach
Butterfly Beach Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach Pui O Beach
Casam Beach Shek O Beach
Clear Water Bay First Beach Silver Mine Bay Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach Stanley Main Beach
Discovery Bay Ting Kau Beach
Golden Beach  
 
Grade 3 beaches are:
Castle Peak Beach  
 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Silverstrand Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Cafeteria Old Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2. 
      
     “The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches,” an EPD spokesman said.
      
     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.
 
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     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

East Asia