The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital gave the following update today (January 22):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, a female aged 56 in the neurosurgery ward, was identified as a carrier of Candida auris while not having signs of infection. She is in stable condition and is now being treated in isolation.
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patient in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with COVID-19 in a male psychiatric ward, the spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital made the following update today (January 22):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient in the ward, a 40-year-old male, tested positive for COVID-19. The patient concerned is being treated in isolation and is in stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward and visiting arrangements have been suspended. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 22) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From January 14 to 20, one community-acquired LD case was reported. The case involved a male patient aged 57 with underlying diseases, who lives at Hiu Tin House, Hiu Lai Court, Kwun Tong.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of January 20, three LD cases had been reported this year. In 2023 and 2022, there were 121 and 80 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily. 

     
     â€‹The public should observe the health advice below:
     

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes: 

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (January 22) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for December 2023. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.4% in December 2023 over the same month a year earlier, smaller than the corresponding increase (2.6%) in November 2023. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in December 2023 was 1.4%, also smaller than that in November 2023 (1.6%). The smaller increase was mainly due to the decreases in the prices of fresh vegetables as well as the larger decreases in electricity charges.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending December 2023 was 0.4%, the same as that for the 3-month period ending November 2023. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were both 0.1%.   

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.7%, 2.2% and 2.3% respectively in December 2023, as compared to 3.0%, 2.4% and 2.4% respectively in November 2023. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.1%, 1.4% and 1.8% respectively in December 2023, as compared to 1.4%, 1.6% and 1.9% respectively in November 2023.   

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending December 2023, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.3% respectively. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending November 2023 were 0.6%, 0.4% and 0.3% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending December 2023 were 0.0%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively, and the corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending November 2023 were 0.1%, 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.   

     Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in December 2023 for alcoholic drinks and tobacco (19.2%), clothing and footwear (4.0%), meals out and takeaway food (3.6%), miscellaneous services (3.2%), transport (2.9%), housing (2.8%), miscellaneous goods (2.2%), and basic food (0.1%).   

     On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in December 2023 for electricity, gas and water (-4.8%), and durable goods (-1.0%).   

     In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Composite CPI rose by 2.6% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 3.0%, 2.4% and 2.3% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.6%, 1.4%, 1.5% and 1.9% respectively.   

     For 2023 as a whole, the Composite CPI was 2.1% higher than that in the preceding year. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.3%, 2.0% and 2.0% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.8% respectively.   

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said the underlying consumer price inflation rate remained moderate in December 2023. Prices of meals out and takeaway food, and clothing and footwear continued to see visible increases over a year earlier. Price pressures on other major components remained broadly in check. For 2023 as a whole, the underlying consumer price inflation rate averaged 1.7%.   

     Looking ahead, overall inflation should stay moderate in the near term. External price pressures should continue to recede. Meanwhile, domestic business cost might face some upward pressures as the economy continues to revive. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.   

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for December 2023 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

     More detailed statistics are given in the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).

     For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).
 

     The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation to participate in a forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation in Urumqi, Xinjiang, today (January 22) to demonstrate Hong Kong's commitment to contribute to the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative as advocated by the country, as well as to promote Hong Kong's ties and exchanges with both Xinjiang and Uzbekistan, with a view to exploring collaboration opportunities.

     Mr Cheung joined a group meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr Jamshid Khodjayev, followed by a banquet yesterday (January 21). He said that Uzbekistan is one of Hong Kong's most important trading partners in Central Asia, with bilateral merchandise trade in 2022 amounting to HK$6 billion, a nearly 17-fold increase over 2021, showing a strong momentum for growth.

     This morning, Mr Cheung visited an Uzbekistan product fair, and attended the opening ceremony of the forum thereafter together with the delegation. Members of the delegation also participated in a business-matching symposium.

     This afternoon, Mr Cheung called on the member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee and the Executive Vice Chairman of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Chen Weijun.

     Mr Cheung said that regional co-operation is an integral part of the concerted effort to develop the Belt and Road Initiative. Hong Kong, with its distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, has been playing the role of both a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" for the Belt and Road countries and regions.

     He pointed out that as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre practising common law, one of the most preferred seats for arbitration worldwide and also a key link for the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong is well positioned to build with other regions a system of fair, reasonable and transparent international trade rules.

     He mentioned that the HKSAR has, to date, signed nine mutual legal assistance arrangements with the Mainland on various matters, including the Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance which will come into force by the end of this month. It will be conducive to businesses choosing Hong Kong as the seat of arbitration, and adopting Hong Kong law as the applicable law for their contracts, enabling Hong Kong to better contribute to the national development. Looking ahead, Hong Kong is set to further leverage on its unique advantages to play a more active role in the collective aspects of the Belt and Road Initiative.

     Mr Cheung will return to Hong Kong tonight.