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Author Archives: hksar gov

Cluster of Rhinovirus cases in Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay (DKCH) made the following announcement today (November 29).
 
     Five male patients (aged 4 to 32) in a ward had presented with fever and running nose symptoms since November 21. Appropriate tests had been arranged and the results of the three patients were confirmed positive to Rhinovirus. One patient with chronic disease was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for further management on November 26 and passed away on November 27. The remaining two patients are in stable condition and are being treated under isolation.
 
     Infection control measures of the ward have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up. read more

Hong Kong Customs detects largest frozen meat smuggling case in past decade (with photos)

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 28) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using fishing vessels in the southeast waters of Hong Kong. About 540 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $50 million were seized. This is the largest frozen meat smuggling case detected by Customs in the past decade.

     Customs earlier conducted an in-depth investigation on a smuggling syndicate and took enforcement action yesterday. Customs officers spotted four suspicious fishing vessels leaving Hong Kong in the southeast waters of Hong Kong and took immediate action to intercept the fishing vessels for examination. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat was seized on board the vessels.

     In the operation, six men aged between 52 and 64 were arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Photo  Photo  
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Grading of beach water quality released

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 29) released the latest grading of water quality for eight gazetted beaches that are open for swimming. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers since November 1 for the winter season.   
   
     Eight beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:    
     

Big Wave Bay Beach Repulse Bay Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach Silver Mine Bay Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach Silverstrand Beach
Golden Beach Stanley Main Beach
 
     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department’s website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. read more