Police today (August 24) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin. Ning Kwok-leung, aged 57, went missing after he left his residence on King Fuk Street yester… read more
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Marine Department (MD) today (August 24) to meet with the management and frontline staff to understand the department’s work including monitoring marine traffic, co-ordinating marine rescue operations, repairing and maintaining government vessels as well as maritime training.
　　Mrs Yeung, together with the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, was briefed by the Director of Marine, Ms Carol Yuen, and directorate staff on the department’s operation and latest developments. They also met with staff representatives from various grades to exchange views on matters that concern them.
　　Mrs Yeung then visited the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal to see for herself how the VTC maintains surveillance over Hong Kong navigable waters through the third generation of the vessel traffic services system. At the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, duty officers introduced to her the co-ordination work during search and rescue operations upon receipt of distress reports from vessels in Hong Kong waters and the South China Sea.
　　Mrs Yeung said while the world is under the influence of extreme weather, and inclement weather can easily lead to maritime incidents, the MD has to integrate its professional knowledge and make good use of information technology to ensure maritime traffic and port safety.
　　She also visited the Government Dockyard on Stonecutters Island to learn more about the repair and maintenance work of government vessels. During her tour, Mrs Yeung also visited the Marine Department Training Centre and was briefed by a duty officer on the marine training provided to the department’s staff, including training through computer-based simulation systems which could simulate different marine traffic and emergency situations.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (August 24) chaired the 18th meeting of the Commission on Children.
At the meeting, representatives of the Health Bureau, together with the project team of the Chinese University of Hong Kong commissioned by the Bureau, briefed members on the results of the psychiatric epidemiologic survey targeting children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 in Hong Kong. The survey covered the major mental health issues, risk factors, cost burden of mental disorders, service utilisation, etc, of local children and adolescents. After the briefing, members expressed their views on the mental health of children and adolescents and related matters.
In addition, representatives of the Hong Kong Police Force shared with members the insights from its interviews conducted with children and adolescents in recent years, and briefed them on its activities that sought to nurture positive values in children and adolescents. Members thanked the Police’s efforts and expressed their views on related matters.
Members took note of the progress of work by the Working Groups under the Commission on Children. In particular, under the “Walk with Kids” thematic campaign, two stakeholder engagement events were successfully held on May 5 and June 22 this year under the themes of “Protection” and “Health” respectively. They aimed to gather the views of children and stakeholders, and encourage parents to strengthen communication with their children and address their physical and mental needs. Members were pleased to learn of the participants’ active involvement and willingness to share their opinions in the events. They also agreed that the events had promoted community engagement at large while enabling members to talk to children and stakeholders directly to better understand their thinking. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens and phishing emails, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites, login screens or emails concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 24) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.
The case involves a 39-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash since August 17. He visited Prince of Wales Hospital on August 22 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. He is in stable condition.
An initial investigation revealed that he had visited Taiwan during the incubation period. According to the patient, he only had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing, including contact tracing and an infection source investigation. The CHP will report the case to the World Health Organization.
In response to reports and views that Mpox patients can swim or have sauna together with other people without infecting others since Mpox is transmitted through close contacts, a spokesman for the CHP reiterated that Mpox virus can be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects. Therefore, persons who experience Mpox symptoms or suspect themselves being infected should seek medical attention and receive treatment as soon as possible, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact.
The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice. Meanwhile, the CHP reminds the public, especially those subject to high risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches.
The Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease in September last year and will continue to assess the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implement corresponding control measures.
The Mpox vaccination programme for high-risk groups commenced on October 5 last year. Under the programme, the following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis: