The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed as having Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in a surgical ward, the spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital gave the following update today (May 14):
 
     The hospital has conducted a screening and confirmed two more male patients (aged 90 and 92) as carriers of CPE. Two patients were transferred to Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital for further medical care in isolation on May 9 and May 11. They are currently in stable condition.
 
     The ward concerned will continue to adopt the following enhanced infection control measures:

1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Continuing to apply stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection for the environment and facilities of the ward.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 

     A man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin has been located.

     Ho Hiu-pang, aged 28, went missing after he left his residence in Wang Tau Hom Estate on May 12 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man returned to his residence this afternoon (May 14). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Silver Wing" yesterday (May 13) to combat violations by imported workers. During the operation, four imported workers, suspected of performing duties at non-contractual homes for the elderly, were arrested. Three persons-in-charge of the homes for the elderly concerned were also arrested.
 
     The ImmD received a report earlier about several homes for the elderly where imported workers were illegally deployed for duties. After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, the ImmD officers initiated the operation yesterday and arrested the abovementioned four imported workers and the three persons-in-charge of the homes for the elderly. The arrested imported workers comprised one man and three women, aged 32 to 52, who were suspected of breaching their conditions of stay by performing duties at non-contractual homes for the elderly. The arrested persons-in-charge of the homes for the elderly comprised three women, aged 42 to 65, who were suspected of aiding and abetting a person who breached their condition of stay in Hong Kong.
 
     "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," an ImmD spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. 

  

     Police are investigating a murder and suicide case in Kwai Chung yesterday (May 13) in which a woman and a man died.

     At 11.56am yesterday, Police received a report from a woman that she suspected her 58-year-old younger sister and 32-year-old nephew committed suicide by burning charcoal in a unit in Kwai Yan House, Kwai Fong Estate. Officers attended the scene and found the woman and the man collapsed in a bedroom. A basin of burnt charcoal was found next to them. They were certified dead at scene.
     
     A will note in suspected connection with the case was seized at scene. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of their death.

     Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Kwai Tsing District is underway. Police appeal to anyone who has information related to the case to contact the investigating officers on 3661 2934.

     A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 160 hours' community service order at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 14) for illegal possession of alternative smoking products (ASPs) and Part 1 poison.
      
     On December 20, 2022, the Police found the man involved in the case transporting ASPs using a lorry parked near Ping Yeung Chuen, Fanling. Over 50 000 pieces of nicotine-containing electronic cigarette product were found inside the lorry. The case was referred to the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) for further investigation.
      
     The Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) prohibits the promotion, manufacture, sale and possession for commercial purposes of ASPs. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
      
     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), nicotine (except tobacco) is listed as a Part 1 poison, which can only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of registered pharmacists. Illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
      
     Since the ban on ASPs came into effect on April 30, 2022, the TACO has issued 635 summonses to offenders for importing ASPs, resulting in 353 convicted cases with fines up to $24,000 as at March 31, 2024. Over the same period, the TACO has issued 18 summonses to offenders for suspected sale or possession for commercial purposes of ASPs, of which 11 cases (involving 17 summonses) were convicted with a maximum penalty of two months' imprisonment.
      
     A spokesman for the DH said that the department will continue to take stringent enforcement action. The spokesman also cautioned against the use of any ASPs and stressed that these products contain amounts of nicotine similar to those of conventional cigarettes in order to sustain addiction. In addition, health hazards of long-term exposure to these new products are unknown. The Government appeals to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. They are encouraged to call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183. The hotline is operated by registered nurses and provides professional counselling services on smoking cessation. Information on smoking cessation can also be obtained from www.livetobaccofree.hk/en/index.html.