The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for the United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following appeal today (December 16) regarding an impatient leaving the hospital without notifying hospital staff:

     A 35-year-old female patient left the Gynaecology ward without notifying hospital staff at around 8.30am this morning. 

     Upon departure of the patient without informing the ward, security guards were deployed to search for the patient within the hospital compound and the vicinity. The hospital also reported to the Police for assistance. The patient is yet to be located. 

     The hospital is very concerned about the incident and will fully co-operate with the Police in order to locate the patient.

     The patient is about 1.6-meter tall, short hair and of medium body build. According to closed-circuit television footage, the patient was wearing a light-coloured jacket, black top, jeans and white shoes when she left the hospital.

     The hospital appeals to the public to contact the hospital at 3949 4002 or the Police if they know the whereabouts of the patient. UCH has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advanced Incident Reporting System.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (December 16) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 16) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary shelters in various districts today (December 16) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.

     To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.

     Anyone seeking temporary refuge or with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters may call the department's hotline 2572 8427 for more information.

     The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
——————–
 
Central and Western:

Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern:
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon:
——————
 
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:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, 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:
—————-
 
Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall  
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, 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

     The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Ms Maisie Ho, celebrated the festive season with the business and trade sectors in Chicago, Illinois as part of her duty visit from December 13 to 15 (Chicago time).
 
     Ms Ho also connected with local government, arts and education interlocutors to discuss matters of mutual interests during her three-day stay.
 
     Speaking at the holiday celebration event organised by the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest on December 13, Ms Ho recognised the strong bonds between Hong Kong and Chicago in business and trade, education as well as in arts and culture.
 
     She also highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages and vast potential for businesses as well as opportunities for talents from Chicago's leading educational institutions.
 
      "Hong Kong and Chicago really have many things in common," she said. "The Hong Kong-Midwest alliance is a testament to the power of international co-operation, and together, we can navigate the challenges and embrace the successes that lie ahead."
 
     Illinois is a key business and trade partner of Hong Kong. The state's exports to Hong Kong reached US$592 million in 2022, with major exports in computer and electronics, chemical manufacturing and electrical equipment. 
 
     While in Chicago, Ms Ho called on the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago, Mr Zhao Jian. She also met with the Deputy Commissioner of Programming at Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Ms Nancy Villafranca; the Associate Vice President of Global Initiatives and Strategy at the University of Chicago, Ms Katie Hrinyak; the Pritzker Chair of Arts of Asia, and Curator of Chinese Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, Dr Tao Wang, and the Executive Director and Chief Curator of The Arts Club of Chicago, Ms Janine Mileaf.