Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Aberdeen this afternoon (July 15), in which a 47-year-old woman died.     

     At about 6.30pm, a medium goods vehicle (MGV) driven by a 32-year-old man was travelling along Wong Chuk Hang Road eastbound. When reaching Ocean Park Road, the MGV reportedly knocked down the 47-year-old woman who was crossing the road.

     Sustaining serious head injuries, the woman was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 8.14pm.

     The driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.          

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is underway.
                    
     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3660 6849.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman made the following announcement today (July 15) on the passing away of a staff member in a traffic accident:
 
     The HA confirmed that a nurse of Hong Kong Eye Hospital passed away in a traffic accident in Wong Chuk Hang this afternoon.
 
     The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, expressed their profound sadness over the passing of the staff member and extended their deepest condolences to her family.
 
     The Kowloon Central Cluster (KCC) has been in contact with her family and will make every effort to provide support to her family through tough times. The Critical Incident Psychological Service Centre of the KCC and the Oasis will also provide psychological support to colleagues in need.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) delegation, led by the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, began the five-day study visit to Fuzhou and Xiamen in Fujian province today (July 15) to learn about the latest development of their high-quality industries and explore ways to strengthen the co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian in various areas.
 
     The delegation arrived in Fuzhou in the afternoon and first met representatives of the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial Government, who provided assistance for the visit.
 
     The delegation then visited Fuzhou New District, which covers a total area of 1 892 square kilometres. Fuzhou New District is Fujian province's first national new district. It's also the 14th new district established by the State Council, where a number of leading enterprises have set up offices, including those in the data centre, medical and healthcare and cloud computing industries. Members first visited the Bin Hai Xin Cheng Planning Exhibition Hall to understand the overall planning and development blueprint of the new district. Members then visited Digital Fujian Cloud Computing Operation Co. Ltd. to learn about its cloud computing, software development, and sales businesses. They also visited Highsun Synthetic Fiber Technology Co. Ltd. to understand the current development of fiber technology. The delegation also met the Secretariat of the Consultative Committee on Fujian-Hong Kong Co-operation to discuss ways to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian.
 
     In the evening, the delegation met with the Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of Fujian Provincial People's Congress, Mr Zhou Zuyi. During the meeting, the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, acknowledged the longstanding ties between Hong Kong and Fujian and expressed the hope that through the study visit, the two cities could further promote the mutual benefits of both regions and seek opportunities for co-operation and development.
 
     The delegation will continue its study visit in Fuzhou tomorrow (July 16).

            

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 15) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza.

     The case involves a 22-month-old baby girl with good past health. She has developed fever since July 9 and started to have cough and shortness of breath on July 12. She was brought to see a family doctor on July 14 due to worsening of symptoms, and was referred to Tuen Mun Hospital for management. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia. She is now in serious condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during incubation period. Her home contacts are currently asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (July 15) strongly opposed and condemned overseas and international organisations for wantonly attacking, slandering and smearing the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and actions taken by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force (NSD) in accordance with the law.

     "Endangering national security is a very serious offence. The HKSAR Government should fight against it in full force and pursue the liability of persons concerned to the end. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The eight persons concerned who have fled overseas are alleged to have continued to commit offences under the NSL that seriously endanger national security. The Police have the responsibility to take all necessary measures in accordance with the law to arrest the persons related to the cases and bring them to justice. The actions by NSD are reasonable, rational, legal, and indeed necessary," a spokesman for the HKSAR Government stressed. 

     "The scope of application of the NSL fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. Such practice is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world. The national security laws of various countries also have extraterritorial effect under the principles of ‘personality’ and ‘protective jurisdiction’. It is a common practice of the Police and other law enforcement agencies to release information of fugitive offenders who have allegedly committed serious offences and are wanted, and appeal to members of the public to assist in bringing fugitive offenders to justice. This is also squarely in line with the international practice. Foreign powers with ulterior motives in the name of overseas and international organisations, claiming to be acting for various purposes, have been meddling with NSD's actions which were conducted in accordance with the law, which amounts to manipulation to put politics above everything."
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     "The HKSAR Government solemnly urges the organisations concerned to discern fact from fallacy and stop being manipulated by people with ulterior motives, immediately refrain from wantonly slandering and smearing the NSL and the implementation of the Law in the HKSAR. The HKSAR Government will continue to implement the NSL resolutely, fully and faithfully, thereby preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, so as to allow Hong Kong to advance from stability to prosperity steadily," the spokesman said.