The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (February 21) that various special measures implemented during the Chinese New Year (CNY) helped to cope with the service demand surge and alleviate the service pressure on the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments. The operations of public hospitals were generally maintained smoothly.
 
     The special measures included strengthening manpower, opening temporary beds and mobilising hospital beds flexibly, enhancing support for the discharge process and expediting the turnover of beds. In addition, 18 General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) and Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) located in the 18 districts were specially opened during the CNY holidays, providing a total of 8 000 quotas and 1 800 quotas respectively.
 
     In addition, in order to minimise the impact of service demand surge on the public healthcare system, the Health Bureau has collated information of private hospitals, healthcare facilities, family doctors and Chinese medicine clinics that were in operation during the CNY holidays across the city. The information (including addresses, phone numbers and operation hours) of the relevant hospitals and clinics have been uploaded to an online portal for public reference in collaboration with the Spatial Data Office of the Development Bureau and the Lands Department. Such a move aims to enable citizens in need to look for suitable hospitals or clinics for medical treatment.
 
     Data from the HA shows that during the CNY, the quota utilisation rate of GOPCs rose from about 80 per cent on the first day (February 10) of the CNY to more than 90 per cent on the second to fourth day (February 11 to 13) of the CNY, while the quota utilisation rate of CMCTRs was about 80 per cent, showing that the additional service capacity in the CNY of GOPCs and CMCTRs was able to meet the needs of the public.
 
     Regarding the operation of A&E Departments, from February 9 to 18, more than 53 200 attendances were recorded in A&E Departments, representing an increase of about 27 per cent when compared with around 41 800 attendances recorded during the same period of the CNY last year (from CNY's Eve to the ninth day of the CNY).
 
     During this period, the A&E first attendance in public hospitals ranged from about 4 000 to about 6 200 daily, with the peak concentrating on the fourth and the fifth day (February 13 and 14) of the CNY. Overall, the proportion of semi-urgent (Triage IV) and non-urgent (Triage V) patients decreased as compared with previous years, allowing the A&E Departments to allocate manpower and resources to take care of patients with more urgent conditions.
 
     In addition, the special refund arrangement implemented to cope with the increased service volume in the A&E Departments of public hospitals has concluded. From February 9 to 18, 1 032 applications for refund have so far been received, accounting for around 1.9 per cent of the total number of attendances, with the majority of them being patients in stable condition. The applications are currently under process, and eligible applicants will be refunded by cheque sent via mail or by credit card.
 
     The spokesman stressed, "The operation of the special refund arrangement has been smooth, allowing stable and less severe patients to have more flexibility in choosing alternative healthcare arrangements, such as seeking consultation at other medical institutions, thus diverting patients and alleviating the service pressure on A&E Departments, enabling them to concentrate resources of taking care of patients in need."
 
     "Although the number of patient attendance increased as compared to normal days, the operation of all public hospitals remained smooth during this period after the implementation of the above special measures, and the overall pressure on public hospitals was alleviated. In particular, the waiting time for patients admitted to the wards through the A&E Departments has been reduced. However, the HA noted that some patients did not show up after making appointments at GOPCs and CMCTRs. The HA appeals to patients to cancel their appointments if consultation service is not in need due to other arrangements, so that patients in need can receive medical services more easily and in a timely manner.
 
     "The HA is thankful for the understanding of patients and also the dedicated healthcare staff taking care of patients with their best efforts during the CNY, which enabled the emergency services of A&E Departments in public hospitals to remain smooth. The HA will continue to monitor the service statistics of public hospitals, and summarise the experience gained from implementing special measures this time and feedback received from different stakeholders, so as to help implement appropriate measures in the future, so that A&E Department resources can be used for citizens who are most in need of healthcare services."
 
     Moreover, recent surveillance data shows that the local COVID-19 and influenza activity has increased. The HA appeals to members of the public to get vaccinated early for COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, especially high-risk groups, to reduce the chance of getting infected for themselves and their family members, as well as to reduce critical cases and deaths. Regardless of the number of doses received previously, high-risk groups are recommended to receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months since the last dose or infection.
 
     Members of the public may find details on the Centre for Health Protection COVID-19 Vaccination Programme website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/106934.html) and the Vaccination Schemes website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/17980.html).

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 21) endorsed a licensed Chinese herbal medicine (Chm) wholesaler, Wong Chak Kee Limited, to voluntarily recall from the market one batch of Chm, Nidus Vespae (batch number: 230228), as aflatoxins detected in the sample exceeded the limits set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK).

     During the DH's market surveillance, a sample of the above Chm was collected for analysis. Testing results of the sample from the Government Laboratory revealed that each kilogram of the Nidus Vespae sample contained 44 micrograms of aflatoxins and 30mcg of aflatoxin B1, exceeding the limits set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the CMCHK (each kilogram of the above Chm should not contain more than 10mcg of aflatoxins and 5mcg of aflatoxin B1).

     A preliminary investigation indicated that the above batch of Nidus Vespae was imported by Wong Chak Kee Limited from the Mainland. The DH is tracing the distribution of the affected Chm. So far, no adverse reports related to the use of the above Chm have been received. The investigation is ongoing.
 
     Wong Chak Kee Limited has set up a hotline (2858 2168) for public enquiries. The DH will closely monitor the recall.

     According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), Nidus Vespae is a Schedule 2 Chm. Nidus Vespae, the honeycomb of Polistes olivaceous (DeGeer), Polistes japonicus Saussure or Parapolybia varia Fabricius, is used to expel toxins, kill worms, dispel wind and relieve pain.

     "Aflatoxins are a family of heat-resistant compounds produced by the moulds Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and related species. Hot and humid conditions and poor storage can contribute to a higher occurrence of moulds and consequently high levels of aflatoxins in contaminated Chm. The DH advises the industry to have strict control on the temperature and humidity of the storage facilities for Chm that is susceptible to mould infestation and members of the public to properly store Chm at a dry and cool place," a spokesman for the DH said.

     The spokesman added that the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aflatoxins as carcinogenic to humans. Aflatoxins can lead to liver cancer after long-term ingestion, and the risk for hepatitis B carriers is relatively high. Members of the public may visit the following website of the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office (CMRO) of the DH for more information on the adverse health effects of aflatoxins and proper storage of Chm:
www.cmro.gov.hk/files/en/useful_information/public_health/pamphlet/Herbal_Medicines_and_Aflatoxin_Eng.pdf
 
     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. Upon completion of investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters and will also refer the case to the CMCHK for possible disciplinary action.

     The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the above affected batch of Chm to stop using it immediately and submit it to the CMRO of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal. Members of the public who have used the above Chm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The service of Coin Cart No.2 at lay-by on Tuen Shun Street, Tuen Mun (outside tmtplaza, near Taxi Stand) originally scheduled between February 19 and February 25 will be revised due to the recent traffic conditions of the nearby roadways. The Coin Cart will instead provide service at lay-by on Tuen Lung Street, Tuen Mun (outside K-Point) during February 22 to February 25 (service hours until noon on February 24 (Saturday)). 
       
     The service of Coin Cart No.1 at lay-by opposite to Yuen Long Leisure and Cultural Building, Yuen Long (near the entrance of Ma Tin Tsuen) between February 19 and February 25 (except February 21 (Wednesday)) will remain unchanged.
      
     Members of the public are advised to visit the Hong Kong Monetary Authority website (Link) or social media channels for the latest information of Coin Cart services.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) shared the joy of the Year of the Dragon with the local community in Sydney, Australia, by presenting a concert and hosting a reception on February 19 and 20 respectively.
 
     The Sydney ETO supported "A Melodious Chat of Music Concert" on February 19 to celebrate Chinese New Year and showcase the music talent of Hong Kong. The performance, staged by the ensemble Melody Plus, blended Chinese and Western music, presenting music works of Lingnan culture, Cantonese pop songs and classic folk songs. The performance was well received by an audience of around 500.
 
     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Miss Trista Lim, said in her welcoming remarks that the Government is committed to fostering the cultural development of Hong Kong. "Our office attaches great importance to promoting arts and cultural exchanges with the local community in Australia. To showcase Hong Kong's unique charm as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the 14th Five-Year Plan, and to tell good stories of Hong Kong, we are working proactively in assisting the touring of arts groups and delegations," she said.
 
     The Sydney ETO also hosted a reception in Sydney yesterday (February 20) to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Over 400 guests from various sectors including political and business circles, media, academic and community groups as well as government representatives attended the reception. Among them were the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, the Minister for Industry and Trade, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, the Minister for Building, and the Minister for Corrections of New South Wales (NSW), Mr Anoulack Chanthivong, representing the Premier of NSW; and the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Mr Robert Kok, representing the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney.
 
     Speaking at the reception, Miss Lim said that Hong Kong prides itself as Asia's world city, offering visitors a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. She added that the Government will strive to promote a mega-event economy, highlighting a series of mega events to be held in Hong Kong in the coming months including the LIV Golf Hong Kong Tournament, Art March and the Hong Kong Sevens.
 
     Miss Lim also introduced the Government's initiatives to attract enterprises, investment and talent, including developing a "headquarters economy", rolling out a new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, and expanding the coverage of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme to 185 institutions, including nine universities in Australia.
 
     The Sydney ETO will continue to host Chinese New Year receptions in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Australia, and Auckland in New Zealand to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with communities in those locations.

              

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 21) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Ostrowski District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 3 110 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Polish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.