Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Task Force on Home-school Co-operation and Parent Education released a consultation document today (July 23) to solicit views from members of the public on its preliminary recommendations.
      
     To follow up on the announcement in the Chief Executive’s 2017 Policy Address, the Education Commission set up the Task Force on December 1, 2017, to review the existing approach and practices in promoting home-school co-operation and parent education, in order to formulate the direction and strategy for enhancing both. In the past several months, the Task Force has studied local and overseas research and the existing approach and practices on promoting home-school co-operation and parent education, and proposed preliminary directions, strategies and improvement measures.
      
     The Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Tim Lui, said, “It is the view of the Task Force that the promotion of parent education and home-school co-operation should be more comprehensive and strategic. We suggest that school-based, community-based and territory-wide parent education programmes should be provided. Diversified and innovative modes should also be adopted, such as e-learning and parent education programmes provided in the workplace.
      
     “Other suggestions include launching a ‘Happy Kids Campaign’ to advocate the healthy and happy development of children and avoidance of excessive competition, and further strengthening the roles of Parent-Teacher Associations and Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations.”
      
     To ensure the quality of parent education, the Task Force also recommended that a curriculum framework on parent education should be developed to cater for the needs of parents of students at different school levels from kindergarten to secondary.
      
     The consultation document has been uploaded to the website of the Education Bureau: www.edb.gov.hk/en/about-edb/press/consultation/index.html. Members of the public are welcome to send their written comments by post (Secretariat of the Task Force on Home-school Co-operation and Parent Education, Home-school Cooperation Section, Room W215, Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon), by email (hsc@edb.gov.hk) or by fax (2391 0470) on or before September 14, 2018.

     Having conducted a series of consultation sessions to collect views from the key stakeholders, the Task Force will hold three more identical consultation sessions to collect views from the public. Details are set out below:
 
Session 1
Date: August 3 (Friday)
Time: 9.30am to 11am
Venue: Room WP01, Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
Medium: Cantonese
 
Session 2
Date: August 4 (Saturday)
Time: 2.30pm to 4pm
Venue: Room WP01, Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
Medium: Cantonese
 
Session 3
Date: August 9 (Thursday)
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm
Venue: Room WP01, Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
Medium: Cantonese (with simultaneous interpretation in English)
  
     Reservations for seats at the public consultation sessions can be made on a first-come, first-served basis on the website of the Education Bureau (www.edb.gov.hk/en/student-parents/consultation-tfhcpe/index.html) and the parent education website “Smart Parent Net” (www.parent.edu.hk), by email (hsc@edb.gov.hk) or by fax (2391 0470). read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 23) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From July 15 to 21, five community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:
 

1. A male patient, aged 56 with good past health, who lives in Yan Wah House, Yan Tsui Court, Chai Wan;
2. A male patient, aged 85 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tsuen Wing Lau, Lai Tak Tsuen, Wan Chai District;
3. A male patient, aged 70 with good past health, who lives in Block F, Hang Chien Court, 21 Wai King Street, To Kwa Wan;
4. A male patient, aged 88 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Lee Cheung House, Shun Lee Estate, Kwun Tong; and
5. A male patient, aged 81 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Mei Fai House, Yue Fai Court, Aberdeen.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of July 21, 47 LD cases have been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.

     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.

     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:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• 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. read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 23) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for June 2018. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.4% in June 2018 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (2.1%) in May 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in June 2018 was 2.7%. This increase was larger than that in May 2018 (2.4%), mainly due to the enlarged increases in private housing rentals, the prices of salt-water fish, as well as the charges for package tours. 

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period from April to June 2018 was 0.1%, the same as that for the three-month period from March to May 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period from April to June 2018 was 0.2%, the same as that for the three-month period from March to May 2018. 

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.6%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively in June 2018, as compared to 2.3%, 2.0% and 1.9% respectively in May 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.9%, 2.7% and 2.5% respectively in June 2018, as compared to 2.6%, 2.4% and 2.2% respectively in May 2018. 

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the three-month period from April to June 2018, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the three-month period from March to May 2018 were 0.1%, 0.1% and virtually nil. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the three-month period from April to June 2018 were 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period from March to May 2018 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. 

     Amongst the various CPI components, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in June 2018 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (5.2% in the Composite CPI and 5.0% in the CPI(A)); electricity, gas and water (3.8% in the Composite CPI and 4.2% in the CPI(A)); clothing and footwear (3.6% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)); meals bought away from home (3.0% in the Composite CPI and 3.1% in the CPI(A)); housing (2.1% in the Composite CPI and 2.3% in the CPI(A)); transport (2.0% in the Composite CPI and 1.7% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous services (1.7% in the Composite CPI and 1.1% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous goods (1.4% in the Composite CPI and 1.9% in the CPI(A)) as well as alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.4% in the Composite CPI and 1.3% in the CPI(A)). 

     On the other hand, year-on-year decrease in prices was recorded in June 2018 for durable goods (-2.1% in the Composite CPI and -1.9% in the CPI(A)). 

     For the first half of 2018 as a whole, the Composite CPI rose by 2.3% over a year earlier. The corresponding increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.4%, 2.6%, 2.4% and 2.3% respectively in the first half of 2018 as a whole over a year earlier. 

    In the second quarter of 2018, the Composite CPI rose by 2.1% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.4%, 2.1% and 2.0% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.4%, 2.7%, 2.4% and 2.3% respectively. 

     For the 12 months ended June 2018, the Composite CPI was on average 2.0% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.2%, 1.9% and 1.9%. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.0%, 2.2%, 2.0% and 2.0% respectively. 

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that consumer price inflation went up slightly in June, as economic conditions had stayed robust so far this year.

     The spokesman commented further that, looking forward, inflationary pressure is expected to intensify slightly in the near term compared to the situation in the first half of the year, reflecting higher global inflation and continued feed-through of earlier rises in fresh-letting residential rentals. Nonetheless, inflation should stay within a moderate range for 2018 as a whole. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly the impact on the lower-income people.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for June 2018 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after removing the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest three months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

     More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison, seasonally adjusted data series and the CPIs by the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the June 2018 issue of the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600001), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600002) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk). read more

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 23) announced that the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for June rose to 11.3 per cent from 10.2 per cent in May, indicating that mosquito infestat… read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:      As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 has been … read more