The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesman for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following statement today (February 11) regarding an incident of a nurse suspected to be indecently assaulted:

     A nurse was suspected to be indecently assaulted while performing triage assessment for a 62-year-old male patient in cubicle of Accident and Emergency Department around 3am today. Upon receiving report from the nurse, the hospital had reported to the Police immediately. A man was subsequently arrested by the Police in the ward.

     The hospital is highly concerned about the incident and expressed sympathy to the nurse concerned. The hospital has provided support to the nurse. The hospital resolutely adopts a zero-tolerance attitude to this incident, strongly condemns the indecent acts, and will follow up seriously and fully co-operate with the Police investigation.

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 11) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to timely receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) to better protect themselves in the influenza season.

     The case involves a 11-year-old boy with underlying diseases. He developed cough and runny nose since February 4 and developed generalised weakness and dysphagia a few days later. He consulted private doctor on February 5 and 9. Due to worsening symptoms, he was brought to United Christian Hospital (UCH) yesterday (February 10) and was admitted to the UCH's paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on the same day. He was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital's PICU for further treatment today. His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalitis. He is now in critical condition.
 
     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Two of his home contacts are currently symptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information. 

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) is supporting the eighth edition of the "Legends of Lion Dance" held in Antwerp, the port city of Belgium, from February 8 to 11 (Antwerp time). It offers Belgian and Chinese in Antwerp a Hong Kong film night, an exhibition showcasing Hong Kong arts and culture; and a carnival with a Hong Kong booth, food market and Chinese cultural shows, among other cultural talks and workshops during the period.

     Highlight of this 4-day event is a lively lion dance parade which delighted hundreds of local spectators as it made its way to Antwerp’s China Town to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year today (February 10, Antwerp time), also the very first day of the Year of the Dragon. 

     The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, spoke to the crowds and wished all the guests have the energy and prosperity like a dragon in the year ahead. She said that Hong Kong is full of opportunities which makes the city a prime destination for businesses and talents. "We have rolled out talent attraction schemes to facilitate global talents to settle in, live, work and start up in Hong Kong. A dedicated office has also been set up to attract strategic enterprises by offering special facilitation measures such as land grant, financing and tax concessions", she added as she encouraged the visitors to come to Hong Kong.

     After the speech, Ms Yung officiated at the lion eye-dotting ceremony and visited the exhibition displaying lion heads handcrafted in Hong Kong. The exhibition also features drawings by a Hong Kong comics artist, Pen So, curated by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) (www.hkac.org.hk) in the theme Wanderers' Land – Cityscapes in Hong Kong.

     "Legends of Lion Dance" is organised by Asian Events, a non-profit-making organisation established by Hong Kong second-generation community members in Antwerp, with the support of the HKETO, Brussels and the Belgium-Hong Kong Society. The event has become a firmly-established event on Antwerp's annual cultural calendar, which help promote the uniqueness of Hong Kong as an international arts and cultural centre.

     The HKETO, Brussels also organised two Chinese New Year receptions earlier this week, respectively in Milan, Italy (February 6) jointly with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and in Luxembourg (February 8) with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate the coming of the Year of the Dragon.

     In Milan, the HKETO, Brussels took the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong's East-meet-West culture and promote music talent by inviting a Hong Kong born Jazz vocalist and composer, Heidi Li to stage a performance in a quartet with Italian musicians, indulging the guests with Chinese-Italian fusion songs.

                  

Attention radio/TV announcers:

     Please broadcast the following at suitable intervals:

     With the holding of the 2024 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display this evening (February 11), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department reminds people to keep places clean while enjoying the fireworks display. Rubbish should be placed in rubbish bins. Anyone not disposing of rubbish properly is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000.

     Please be reminded that the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade area and the piazza area of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, together with the waterfront of Hong Kong Island North, will be crowded. People who intend to go there should also mind their safety.

     The Transport Department today (February 11) reminded members of the public that the 20th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be open from 10am tomorrow (February 12) to 11.59pm on February 15, and the ballot result will be announced on February 16.
 
     Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). Successful balloting applicants are required to submit applications for the scheme within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system.