Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 26) investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     The male patient, aged 81 with underlying illness, who lives in a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Kowloon City District, has developed fever, cough with sputum, runny nose and shortness of breath since June 21 and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital for treatment the next day. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is in a stable condition.
 
     The patient’s urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history in the incubation period.

     “Epidemiological investigations with the RCHE are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs have been collected from potential sources for testing,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Tracing of contacts including staff and residents in the RCHE where the patient stayed is ongoing and those identified will be put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and residents, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing.

     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 get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems. They may also get the infection when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Persons with weakened immunity should strictly observe the health advice below:
 

• 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. In addition, 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.

     The public, including susceptible groups, should take heed of the general precautions against LD below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol;
• 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 the 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 medical advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap) water to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2-micrometre 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. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
2. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
3. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
4. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     More information is available in 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. read more

     The services provided by Mobile Library 7 have resumed after completion of urgent repairs to the mobile library van, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (June 26).        T… read more

     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (June 26) 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 enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
      
     The 18 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
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 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
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 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:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
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
      
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 21 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: https://www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf
  read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 26) the external merchandise trade statistics for May 2018. In May 2018, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 15.9% and 16.5% respectively.

     In May 2018, the value of total exports of goods increased by 15.9% over a year earlier to $351.4 billion, after a year-on-year increase of 8.1% in April 2018. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 16.5% over a year earlier to $394.6 billion in May 2018, after a year-on-year increase of 11.1% in April 2018. A visible trade deficit of $43.2 billion, equivalent to 11.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in May 2018.

     For the first five months of 2018 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods rose by 10.7% over the same period in 2017. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.9%. A visible trade deficit of $219.8 billion, equivalent to 11.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first five months of 2018. 

     Comparing the three-month period ending May 2018 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 3.5%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 4.0%.

Analysis by country/territory

     Comparing May 2018 with May 2017, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 15.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+43.9%), Malaysia (+43.6%), the Philippines (+25.5%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+19.2%), Thailand (+18.6%) and Japan (+13.0%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to India (-21.7%) and Taiwan (-1.9%).

     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular Germany (+16.7%), the USA (+12.5%) and the United Kingdom (+6.7%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Malaysia (+69.7%), Korea (+44.1%), Taiwan (+22.3%), Singapore (+20.3%), the Philippines (+18.8%) and the Mainland (+18.4%). Concurrently, a decrease was registered in the value of imports from India (-39.5%).

     For the first five months of 2018 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+16.9%), the Mainland (+14.0%), Germany (+12.8%), Taiwan (+12.2%), the USA (+9.4%) and Thailand (+7.1%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of total exports to India (-20.9%).

     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Malaysia (+91.2%), Korea (+21.8%), Taiwan (+18.1%), the Philippines (+10.4%), the Mainland (+10.4%) and Singapore (+8.4%). On the other hand, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of imports from India (-21.4%).

Analysis by major commodity

     Comparing May 2018 with May 2017, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $24.8 billion or 22.8%), “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $9.8 billion or 32.7%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $5.6 billion or 10.0%). However, a decrease was registered in the value of total exports of “non-metallic mineral manufactures” (by $2.0 billion or -13.2%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $30.3 billion or 25.3%), “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $10.0 billion or 38.5%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $5.3 billion or 10.0%). However, a decrease was registered in the value of imports of “miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ wares)” (by $1.3 billion or -5.5%).

     For the first five months of 2018 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $102.5 billion or 20.0%), “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $32.5 billion or 22.0%) and “miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ wares)” (by $18.0 billion or 23.1%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of total exports of “non-metallic mineral manufactures” (by $13.6 billion or -15.9%).

     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $109.9 billion or 18.8%), “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $35.3 billion or 28.2%) and “petroleum, petroleum products and related materials” (by $8.0 billion or 27.1%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of imports of “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $2.3 billion or -0.8%).

Commentary

     A Government spokesman noted that external trade sustained robust performance so far in 2018, thanks to sturdy global demand. Merchandise exports continued to grow strongly over a year earlier in May, with many major markets showing double-digit gains.

     The spokesman commented further that, looking ahead, the current momentum of the global economy should remain supportive to Hong Kong’s exports in the near term. Yet, external uncertainties have increased markedly of late, as a result of the escalation of trade conflicts between the US and the Mainland. This might weigh on the prevailing global economic sentiment and trade expansion going forward. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Further information

     Table 1 at the annex presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for May 2018. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2015 to May 2018, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.

     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for May 2018 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.

     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for May 2018.

     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for May 2018 will be released in mid-July 2018.

     The May 2018 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in May 2018 and will be available in mid-July 2018. Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp).

     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5042).  read more

Overall wage and payroll statistics      According to the figures released today (June 26) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed, as measured by … read more