Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced today (July 27) that the Base Rate has been set at 5.75 per cent with immediate effect according to a pre… read more

     A woman who went missing in Sau Mau Ping has been located.      Chan Wun-king, aged 81, went missing after she left her residence on Ngau Tau Kok Road on July 24 morning. Her family reported to Police on the same day.      The wom… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 27) 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.

     “Children, the elderly, the obese and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, are more vulnerable to heat stroke. 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 can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to 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 is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed 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, sweating or towelling off; 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.

     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report 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. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.      To prevent heat stroke, avoid pro… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
     
     The spokesman for Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) made the following announcement today (July 26) regarding a medical equipment incident:

     At about 11.30 this morning, a staff member found that the tabletop of an examination table was broken during the intraocular pressure examination for a patient in the Eye Centre of PWH. The relevant staff and the patient tried to hold the intraocular pressure testing device immediately, and other staff stepped forward to assist. The patient’s knee and hand and the staff’s knee sustained slight redness after the incident and were confirmed not serious after the examination. Hospital services were not affected.

     PWH was very concerned about the incident and immediately explained the incident to the patient and staff concerned. The hospital has expressed sympathy and will offer assistance to them. The hospital promptly investigated the incident and confirmed that the centre staff used the relevant equipment appropriately. The examination table was designed for eye examinations and the hospital has used the same type of examination table for more than ten years. It is initially suspected that the incident was related to the quality of the tabletop materials. As a precautionary measure, the hospital has suspended the use of the same batch of examination tables and instructed the supplier to inspect all the examination tables of the same model in the hospital as soon as possible to ensure their safety. 

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advanced Incident Reporting System. read more