Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between July and September 2018. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2018 was provided to the media in September 2017. No change has been made to the original schedule.

July 2018
======

Date        Press Release
—–        —————
3             Retail sales statistics for May 2018
19           Unemployment and underemployment statistics for 
               April – June 2018
19           Volume and price statistics of external merchandise
               trade for May 2018
20           Business expectations for third quarter 2018
23           Consumer Price Index for June 2018
26           External merchandise trade statistics for June 2018

August 2018
========

Date        Press Release
—–        —————
1             Retail sales statistics for June 2018
3             Restaurant receipts and purchases statistics for second
               quarter 2018
9             Volume and price statistics of external merchandise
               trade for June 2018 
10           Gross Domestic Product for second quarter 2018: data
               contained in the press release entitled "Economic 
               Situation in the Second Quarter of 2018 and Latest
               GDP and Price Forecasts for 2018" issued by The
               Office of the Government Economist under the
               Financial Secretary's Office (Note)
14           Mid-year population for 2018 
17           Unemployment and underemployment statistics for
               May – July 2018 
21           Consumer Price Index for July 2018 
27           External merchandise trade statistics for July 2018
30           Retail sales statistics for July 2018

September 2018
==========

Date        Press Release
—–        —————
6             Statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for
               second quarter 2018
10           Quarterly business receipts indices for service
               industries for second quarter 2018 
11           Construction output statistics for second quarter 2018
11           Statistics on trade involving outward processing in the 
               mainland of China for second quarter 2018 
13           Index of industrial production and producer price index 
               for industrial sector for second quarter 2018
14           Gross National Income and external primary income
               flows for second quarter 2018 
18           Unemployment and underemployment statistics for
               June – August 2018 
19           Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by
               economic activity for second quarter 2018
20           Consumer Price Index for August 2018 
20           Volume and price statistics of external merchandise
               trade for July 2018
20           Employment and vacancies statistics for June 2018
21           Balance of Payments and International Investment
               Position statistics for second quarter 2018 
27           External merchandise trade statistics for August 2018
27           Wage and payroll statistics for June 2018

Note: The Office of the Government Economist under the Financial Secretary's Office will issue a press release on the Half-yearly Economic Report 2018 and second update of the GDP and prices forecasts for 2018 as a whole.  The GDP for the second quarter of 2018 will also be released there.  No separate press release on the GDP for the second quarter of 2018 will be issued by the Census and Statistics Department on that day.

     The schedule for regular press releases in the other months of 2018 can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/index.jsp).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (June 29) said that 12 of its general out-patient clinics (see table below) will provide services on the holiday next Monday (July 2) following the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day. Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone system as usual for an appointment.  
 
     The spokesperson further remarked that the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments in public hospitals will also operate as usual during the holiday to serve the patients with urgent medical needs.  The established triage system will ensure priority treatment for critical and emergency patients according to their clinical conditions.
 
     "The queuing time is expected to be longer for semi-urgent and non-urgent patients as there may be more patients attending A&E departments during the holiday." The spokesperson appeals to the public for understanding and cooperation while waiting for consultations. Non-urgent patients are advised to consider seeking consultations at general out-patient clinics, private doctors or the 24-hour clinics of private hospitals.
 
     To help find the appropriate family medicine doctor and related clinic service of their choice, members of the public are welcome to call the HA Infoline (2882 4866) for information on holiday general out-patient clinic service, or to browse the Primary Care Directory of Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or download the mobile App of "Primary Care Directory".

 
Consultation Hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
 

     Hongkong Post today (June 29) announced the issue of a set of special stamps on the theme of "Children Stamps – Fun with Numbers and Symbols", together with associated philatelic products, on July 17 (Tuesday).
 
     Our world is full of numbers which enable us to communicate easily and effectively. Numbers are used for dates and times, prices on a menu, dialing a friend's phone and in so many other practical and interesting ways. People learn to count in their childhood, and apply simple arithmetic every day throughout their lives. Yet, how many of us know the origin of numbers or of the symbols for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division?
 
     Hongkong Post has designed an attractive and educational set of 16 stamps, which will appeal to children with their vibrant colours and simple designs, featuring the numbers 0 to 9, and the symbols "+", "−", "×", "÷", "%" and "=". These numbers and symbols can be joined up to form different mathematical formulae or convey different meanings. With their boundless imagination and creativity, children will have fun expressing their ideas with these stamps.
 
     These unique $2 stamps are a great way for children to learn more about the world around them and to make their first connections with stamp collecting, with something familiar to them in the forms of numbers and symbols. Additionally, with the first day cover and presentation pack, children can learn more about the stories and history of the numbers and symbols they use in everyday life.
 
     Also available is a unique souvenir pack, containing a set of 16 stamps and playing cards with instructions for simple games, specially designed for little hands and enquiring young minds. So parents can have fun with their children, helping them learn their numbers in a most entertaining way.
 
     Official First Day Covers at $1.30 each will be put on sale at all post offices from July 3. The stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from July 3 to 9.
      
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.

          

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 29) 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.