The Highways Department (HyD) today (January 27) said that a works supervisor of the Lighting Division has tested positive for COVID-19. He is staying at a hospital for treatment. The works superviso… read more
In light of the latest situation of the COVID-19 epidemic as well as the related arrangements for kindergartens, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (January 27) that all child care centres and special child care centres will continue to implement special service arrangements up to February 21.
To minimise the chance of infection, the SWD advises members of the public not to take their children to child care centres or special child care centres during the period. However, these centres will remain open to serve service users who have difficulty in taking care of their children. Service users in need may contact the centres or service units concerned in advance.
In addition, operators of pre-school rehabilitation services (including special child care centres) may arrange appropriate modes of individual training, such as centre-based training, e-learning and home training, for service users having regard to the epidemic situation, service users’ circumstances and their parents’ preference during the period.
For enquiries, please call the SWD hotline on 2343 2255. read more
The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (January 27) that since the epidemic situation is still severe, all kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools (including schools offering non-local curriculum) and private schools offering non-formal curriculum (commonly known as “tutorial schools”) will extend the existing arrangements on suspension of face-to-face classes and on-campus activities until February 21.
The spokesman said, “During the period of face-to-face class suspension, schools will flexibly deploy various teaching modes to sustain students’ learning at home. Schools should remain open, strictly put in place various anti-epidemic measures as stipulated in the ‘Health Protection Measures for Schools’ issued by the EDB and the ‘Health Advice to Schools for the Prevention of COVID-19′ issued by the Centre for Health Protection, and look after students who lack carers to take care of them at home. Schools will arrange for staff to be on duty to handle school affairs and answer parents’ enquiries.”
He continued, “Schools should continue to maintain communication with parents and students to show care for the learning and emotional needs of the students, and render appropriate assistance to parents. Schools should also remind parents to follow anti-epidemic measures and pay close attention to the health conditions of their children. Parents should avoid taking their children to crowded places with poor ventilation.”
The spokesman added, “In view of the implementation of ‘vaccine pass’ arrangements at schools on February 24, we strongly urge unvaccinated school staff, persons providing on-campus services, parents and visitors to get vaccinated as soon as possible, otherwise they will not be allowed to enter the school premises. Eligible students should also get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and their family members, and construct a more effective protective barrier for both schools and the community.”
The EDB will closely monitor the situation and move in step with the development of the overall anti-epidemic measures in Hong Kong, continuously review the class arrangements and keep schools informed in a timely manner. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 27) closely monitoring two human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) in the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The first case involves a 68-year-old man living in Langzhong in Sichuan. He developed symptoms on January 3, and was admitted for treatment on January 4. The patient is in critical condition.
The second case involves a 55-year-old woman living in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, who had exposure to slaughtered poultry before onset. She developed symptoms on January 6, and was admitted for treatment on January 9. The patient is in critical condition.
From 2014 to date, 65 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.
“All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.
Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments.
The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below when handling poultry:
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (January 27) that so far around $320 million in subsidies has been disbursed under the Catering Business Subsidy Scheme of the fifth round of Anti-epide… read more