Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) announced today (July 22) the introduction of electric vehicle (EV) maintenance service to the Voluntary Registration Scheme for Vehicle Mechanics and the … read more

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 21) shut down a suspected ecstasy manufacturing centre and seized about 42 kilograms of assorted chemicals, about 4.3kg of suspected ecstasy, about 125 grams of suspected heroin, and a batch of drug manufacturing paraphernalia in Tai Kok Tsui. A man was arrested and the total estimated market value of the drug seizures amounted to about $1.1 million.

     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tai Kok Tsui yesterday, Customs intercepted a man and brought him to a nearby premises for a search. Subsequently, Customs officers seized the batch of chemicals, suspected dangerous drugs and drug manufacturing paraphernalia. 

     The arrested man, aged 19, was charged with one count of manufacture of dangerous drug, one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of controlled chemicals for the unlawful production of dangerous drugs. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 23).

     According to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the manufacture of a dangerous drug and trafficking in a dangerous drug are serious offences. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. 

     In addition, according to Section 2A of the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Cap. 145), no person shall have in his possession, manufacture, transport or distribution of any substance specified in Schedule 2 or 3, knowing or having reasonable grounds for believing that it is to be used in or for the unlawful production of a dangerous drug. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and 15 years of imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 22) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From July 14 to 20, the CHP recorded three community-acquired LD cases:
 

1. A male patient, aged 62 with good past health, who lives in Tai Po District;
2. A male patient, aged 60 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Kwun Tong District; and
3. A male patient, aged 78 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Kwun Tong District.

     “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 20, 56 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2023 and 2022, there were 121 and 80 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; 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 that support breathing. People may become 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; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily. 

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     â€‹The public should observe the health advice below:
          

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• 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 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 doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device 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 in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes: 

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     â€‹â€‹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 Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today (July 22) to get a better grasp of its latest progress in enhancing healthcare teaching facilities, and meet with teaching staff and students to exchange views.
 
     Professor Lo met with the university management including the Chairman of the PolyU Council, Dr Lam Tai-fai, and the President of PolyU, Professor Teng Jinguang. He also visited the healthcare teaching facilities there in the company of the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU, Professor David Shum, to gain a better understanding of the progress of works projects for enhancing relevant facilities.
 
     Professor Lo also met with undergraduate and postgraduate students from different healthcare-related disciplines of the university and listened to their sharing of learning experiences as well as their faith and aspirations in their pursuit of careers in healthcare professions.
 
     Professor Lo said, “The healthcare system is composed of different healthcare professions whose seamless co-operation contributes to the effective operation of the healthcare system. The Government has long been attaching great importance to nurturing healthcare professionals. Through the multiple initiatives taken forward to increase the number of healthcare training places and enable University Grants Committee-funded universities to upgrade and expand healthcare teaching facilities, the Government is aiming to further alleviate the shortage of public healthcare manpower, such that members of the public can enjoy high-quality healthcare services in a sustainable manner.
 
     “PolyU has been training numerous allied health professionals and nurses for Hong Kong over the years. I hope that students of the relevant disciplines will devote their aspirations to the city’s healthcare and citizens’ wellbeing by putting their knowledge into practice after graduation. We will continue to earnestly explore feasible measures for strengthening the workforce of healthcare professionals in the public healthcare system in a multipronged approach, with a view to addressing the challenges posed to the public healthcare system by the ageing population of Hong Kong, and pushing ahead the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.” 

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     The Home Affairs Department is opening 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 22).
      
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
      
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
      
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
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, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
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
 
     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more