Tag Archives: China

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Update on cases of Legionnaires’ disease

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 2) 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 December 24 to 30 last year, two community-acquired LD cases were reported:
 
1. A male patient, aged 63 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Chung Chi House, Chung On Estate, Ma On Shan; and
2. A male patient, aged 72 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tower 10, Parc Royale, Sha Tin.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     In 2023 (as of December 30), 121 LD cases had been reported. In 2022 and 2021, there were 80 and 69 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 leading to stagnant water; 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. 
    
     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.

     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.  read more

Two persons sentenced for violating anti-epidemic regulation

     The Department of Health (DH) today (January 2) announced that two persons were sentenced by the Magistrates’ Courts in the past month (December 1 to 31, 2023) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E).

     The cases involved two females aged 23 and 51, and the dates of violating the relevant regulation were March 28, 2020, and December 23, 2021, respectively. They were fined up to $6,000 by the Magistrates’ Courts.

     The DH will continue its actions against those who have breached the relevant regulations. read more

Exchange Fund Bills tender results

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

Tender date : January 2, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : M2401
Issue date : January 3, 2024
Maturity date : January 31, 2024
Amount applied : HK$7,980 MN
Amount allotted : HK$2,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.49 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 4.55 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 44 PCT
Average tender yield : 4.60 PCT
****************************
Tender date : January 2, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q2401
Issue date : January 3, 2024
Maturity date : April 3, 2024
Amount applied : HK$175,739 MN
Amount allotted : HK$62,571 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.44 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 4.48 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 70 PCT
Average tender yield : 4.54 PCT
****************************
Tender date : January 2, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H2430
Issue date : January 3, 2024
Maturity date : July 3, 2024
Amount applied : HK$53,750 MN
Amount allotted : HK$19,600 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.20 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 4.22 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 64 PCT
Average tender yield : 4.26 PCT
 
*”Pro rata ratio” refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant’s tendered amount at the “highest yield accepted” level. 
———————————————————
     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning January 8, 2024:
 
Tender date : January 9, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : M2402
Issue date : January 10, 2024
Maturity date : February 7, 2024
Tenor : 28 Days
Amount on offer : HK$2,000 MN
****************************
Tender date : January 9, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q2402
Issue date : January 10, 2024
Maturity date : April 10, 2024
Tenor : 91 Days
Amount on offer : HK$62,862 MN
****************************    
Tender date : January 9, 2024
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H2431
Issue date : January 10, 2024
Maturity date : July 10, 2024
Tenor : 182 Days
Amount on offer : HK$19,000 MN
read more

Effective Exchange Rate Index

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 is 103.6 (up 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, December 30, 2023 was 103.5 (up 0.3 against last Friday’s index). read more