The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for New Territories West Cluster made the following announcement today (July 28):

     Three patients (aged 67 to 80) of a male medicine and geriatrics ward of Tuen Mun Hospital have been confirmed to be carriers of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) since July 16. The three patients are still hospitalised under further medical surveillance. One patient is in critical condition due to underlying disease while the other two are in stable condition.

     On the other hand, Siu Lam Hospital has an update on earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Rhinovirus in a female ward for severe intellectual disability, five more patients (aged 24 to 60) in the ward had presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged and their test results were positive to Rhinovirus. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable conditions. Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed.

     Infection control measures have already been stepped up at the two hospitals according to established guidelines and will continue to impose close surveillance to all patients in the concerned wards.

     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 28) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department's enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.

     The 18 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     The large-scale family reading programme Summer Reading Fiesta, organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, was launched today (July 28). An array of diverse and interesting activities will be held to promote reading for all, especially family reading. The Kick-off Ceremony coincided with the Prize Presentation Ceremony of Reading KOL Short Video Competition 2018. The competition received an enthusiastic response with more than 350 entries, and the winning entries are full of creativity and imagination.

     The Kick-off Ceremony of Summer Reading Fiesta was held today at Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL).  Members of the public, especially parents and children, are invited to join various activities during the Fiesta to discover the fun of reading in summer. Members of the public can also sign the Reading Charter at the libraries or make a pledge on the HKPL website, so as to enjoy a fruitful and joyful summer through reading.

     The Reading KOL Short Video Competition 2018 was held from April to June, with an aim of encouraging members of the public to share the joy of reading and arouse their interest in reading. The competition consisted of three categories, namely the primary, secondary and open categories. It was supported by the Education Bureau with Sing Tao Daily and Smart Parents as media partners. It was part of a series of vibrant activities organised by the HKPL in support of a reading-for-all campaign themed "Discover and Share the Joy of Reading" launched by the Government earlier.

     The open category's winner was Simon Overton, whose winning video was entitled "…But a book". Chloe Alquitran from Marymount Secondary School and Anson Lau from Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School were the champions of the secondary and primary school categories respectively with their winning videos entitled "Twenty Six Letters" and "Reading is awesome!". The Most Active Participating School Award was presented to Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Yuen Long) (secondary school category) and Ho Ming Primary School (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen) (primary school category). The most viewed award of each category and the full list of winners will be uploaded to the HKPL website  www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     Summer Reading Fiesta includes a wide range of activities between today and August 13. A variety of music and drama performances and the Parent-Child Cosplay Contest – Book Characters Come Alive will be held at the Exhibition Gallery of HKCL. Families can also participate in other entertaining activities including "Reading Together‧Happy Together" reading sessions, workshops and artist/writer sharing sessions. In addition, various public libraries will also hold activities including book exhibitions and workshops for the public to enjoy a fruitful and fun summer vacation together.

     The activities of Summer Reading Fiesta are free of charge. Seat reservation or admission tickets are required for some programmes. Details can be found in the Summer Reading Fiesta leaflet available at all public libraries and www.hkpl.gov.hk/srf. For enquiries, please call 2921 2660.

      

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 28) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately.