The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 18) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places of visit. The case is detailed below: 
 

 
     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.    

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 15 temporary night heat shelters tonight (May 18) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
      
     For further information, please call the department's enquiry hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
      
     The 15 temporary night heat shelters are located at:
      
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     Hong Kong Customs conducted a territory-wide operation codenamed "Venus" in the past three days (May 15 to 17) to combat the supply and sale of suspected counterfeit cosmetics and skin care products. A total of about 13 000 pieces of suspected counterfeit cosmetics and skin care products with an estimated market value of about $720,000 were seized.

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of suspected counterfeit cosmetics and skin care products at shops. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs conducted a territory-wide operation in the past three days, from May 15 to yesterday (May 17). Fifteen retail shops in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Sheung Shui were raided and a total of about 6 000 pieces of suspected counterfeit cosmetics and skin care products with an estimated market value of about $150,000 were seized, including facial masks, eyebrow pencils, contour sticks, cleansing foam, sunscreen, make-up remover and face powder. Twelve men and six women were arrested, including six shop owners and 12 salespersons, aged between 23 and 40. 

     During the operation, Customs also cracked down on a criminal syndicate supplying and distributing suspected counterfeit cosmetics and skin care products and raided its two storage areas located in Yuen Long and Sheung Shui. About 7 000 pieces of suspected counterfeit cosmetics and skin care products with an estimated market value of about $570,000 were seized. A 34-year-old male syndicate head was arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing and all arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     The Divisional Commander (Intellectual Property General Investigation) of Customs, Ms Peggy Tam, said at a press conference today (May 18) that Customs has been taking stringent enforcement actions against the sale of counterfeit goods. She reminded traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions. She also appealed to consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. 

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

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

    

     A sick 59-year-old male remand person in custody at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre died in a public hospital yesterday (May 17).

     The remand person in custody suffered from stomach cancer. He required continuous medical care and follow-up at the institution hospital and public hospitals. On May 9, he was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to deteriorated physical condition. During hospitalisation, his condition further deteriorated and he was certified dead at 11.37pm yesterday.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.

     The remand person in custody was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug in January 2018.

     Mainland financial group Atom Capital (Hong Kong) Limited announced today (May 18) that it has set up its regional headquarters in Hong Kong, leveraging the city's status as an international financial centre to expand its business in the region.

     The company is a Mainland start-up that offers investment services such as hedge fund and foreign exchange trading as well as private equity and the Internet-based finance for high net worth individuals and institutional investors. Its service network covers major financial centres in Greater China, Singapore, New York, London and the European Union, says its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Zhou Yi.

     "Hong Kong is a leading financial centre in the Asian region and is highly renowned for its geographic location and versatility in financial services. Therefore it is only natural for Atom Capital to headquarter in a sophisticated financial hub such as Hong Kong.

     "The regulatory environment in Hong Kong is unique and globally recognised. It gives our clients a lot of confidence if we base our operations here. In addition, the city's geographic location means good coverage across the north Asia markets and nearby countries," said Mr Yi.

     The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang, said, "Hong Kong serves as an important two-way platform for Mainland enterprises looking to go global and foreign firms seeking access to Mainland China. Together with its strategic location at the heart of Asia, it is an ideal place for Atom Capital to serve the growing number of high net worth individuals and institutions in the region."

About Atom Capital (Hong Kong) Limited

     Based on the goal of "managing risk, increasing profits", Atom Capital (Hong Kong) Limited aims to generate substantial wealth for high net worth individuals and institutional investors through its professional investment services. The company's investment team is experienced in the areas of law, trading, wealth management and IPO placements. For more information, please www.atomgp.com.

About Invest Hong Kong

     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

     For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157696287146194.