The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that occurred in Tin Shui Wai this afternoon (December 3), in which a worker died.
The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at a media session at the Hong Kong International Airport today (December 3):
Reporter: How is your arm? How are you recovering so far? Maybe you have noticed there is some criticism that even the Sai Wan Ho boy who was shot has been released from the hospital, why did you stay so long in London? And my second question is what are your views on the pan-Democrats' private bill to slash the jail term for rioting charges from 10 to three years?
Secretary for Justice: I have already described my injury. My injury from the left wrist is a certain bone fracture around the wrist and with partial dislocation of the wrist. The hand is of course painful, but it is more painful at the heart to see Hong Kong is still at the state that we are in. This disorderly behavior to me is even more painful than my arm. I have done the operation in London and when the Embassy arranged my return to the country, I arrived in Beijing and went to the Beijing hospital for further check-ups and medical treatment.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
The Immigration Department (ImmD) chartered a flight today (December 3) to effect the repatriation of 30 Vietnamese illegal immigrants to Hanoi, Vietnam. These Vietnamese illegal immigrants comprise 19 males and 11 females aged 18 to 60, of whom 25 are unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants, including 6 discharged prisoners.
Since the removees include convicted persons and unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants, ImmD officers are deployed to carry out in-flight escort duty on the same chartered flight, in order to ensure safe and smooth repatriation operation. After completion of the escort duty, all officers concerned are arranged to return to Hong Kong on the same day.
Depending on circumstances and need, the ImmD will continue to consider effecting soonest removal of illegal immigrants from Hong Kong by means of chartered flights or through other appropriate measures.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (December 3) investigating a case of measles infection and reminded the public that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.
The case involves a 58-year-old man with good past health, who has developed fever, cough and runny nose since November 25 and rash on December 1. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department at the North Lantau Hospital on December 1 for medical attention and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on the same day.
A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He is in a stable condition and his measles vaccination history is unknown. He travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.
According to the patient, he did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period.
Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patient visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.
A spokesman for the DH said, "Those who might have had contact with the patient during the period of communicability are urged to observe if they have developed measles-related symptoms, and to seek medical treatment immediately if such symptoms appear. If they need to visit any health care facilities during the period of medical surveillance, they should also report whether they have symptoms and prior measles exposure history to the healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities concerned to prevent any potential spread.
"Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with a high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received a measles vaccination during childhood. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles, are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccinations at least two weeks before departure," the spokesman said.
To boost the community's herd immunity against measles, the CHP earlier this year launched a one-off mop-up programme to provide free measles vaccinations to foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) working in Hong Kong. Eligible FDHs are urged to use the opportunity to receive measles vaccinations to protect themselves, their families and their employers' families before the programme ends on February 15, 2020. For details and appointment methods, please visit the CHP's website www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102004.html.
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of a skin rash.
"The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals," the spokesman advised.
Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP's measles thematic page. For news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong or the latest travel health advice, please visit the website of the DH's Travel Health Service.
A man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan has been located.
Tam Fong, aged 91, was last seen at a hospital on Wing Hong Street in the small hours of November 30. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
The man was located at a hotel on Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei this morning (December 3).