The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (December 5) investigating a Mycobacterium abscessus infection case involving a customer who have received injections at a premises under the name of "GEEL MEDICAL" (with Instagram social media account of "geelmedical"). People who have patronised "GEEL MEDICAL" and received relevant injections or suspect they have experienced relevant symptoms, are urged to seek medical attention and contact the CHP as soon as possible.

     Since the investigation of the suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster in early November, the CHP has issued multiple press releases and set up a hotline to alert the public and conduct contact tracing of affected persons. The incidents raised the public and doctors' awareness and concerns and hence the case announced today was discovered.

     The case involved a 24-year-old female, who has patronised "GEEL MEDICAL" and received injection services claiming to stimulate collagen production on October 9, at a premises located at 13F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok. Initial investigation revealed that the injection was conducted by a registered doctor. She developed a rash and abscess at the injection sites five days after the injection. She returned to the premises a few times for follow-up. Since the condition did not improve, she attended another private doctor on November 20. Clinical sample of the patient obtained by the private doctor confirmed to grow Mycobacterium abscessus yesterday (December 4). The patient is now in stable condition.

     Upon receiving relevant information of the case, the CHP conducted on-site investigations at the premises. Investigations include review of the procedures of injection and infection control, professional qualification of the personnel responsible for the injections, if it involved possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products, etc. The incident may involve breaching of infection control procedures. The CHP has collected environmental specimens and relevant apparatus for testing.

     The CHP appeals that persons who have patronised "GEEL MEDICAL" (with Instagram social media account of "geelmedical") and received relevant injections after which they presented with relevant symptoms, should seek medical attention and contact the CHP immediately. The CHP has set up an enquiry hotline (2125 2372) which operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5.30pm.

     Based on information obtained from the preliminary investigation, no epidemiological linkages between this case and the suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster involving a total of 19 females have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the cases.

     The DH reminded members of the public that injection procedures should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should look for his or her full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as his or her professional qualifications and relevant experience. The DH also urged the public to observe the health advice below before receiving injections:
 

• Understand the procedure, potential risks and complications before receiving injections. Consult a doctor for an informed decision;
• Do not receive an injection in case of a history of allergy to the injection, or infection or inflammation on the injection site;
• Request the full name of the doctor in writing if referred by a beauty service provider for the procedure, as well as the professional qualifications and relevant experience; and
• If symptoms develop, such as fever or feeling unwell, seek medical attention immediately.

     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the DH's webpage on the differentiation between medical procedures and beauty services  for more information.

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Tseung Kwan O this afternoon (December 5) in which a man died.

     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: 

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Works Subcommittee conducted a site visit to the construction site of the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (I·PARK1), located on an artificial island in the sea off Shek Kwu Chau today (December 5), to get a better grasp on the implementation progress of the Hong Kong's first waste-to-energy facility for treating municipal solid waste.

     Accompanied by the Director of Environmental Protection Department, Dr Samuel Chui, Members took a boat trip to the construction site and received a briefing by the Environmental Protection Department. Members were briefed that I·PARK1, with a project cost of approximately $18 billion, will commence operation in 2025. It can provide a daily treatment capacity of 3 000 tonnes of municipal solid waste, replacing landfills with advanced waste-to-energy incinerators for handling municipal solid waste.

     Members then inspected the construction site along the designated route and learnt that I·PARK1 has substantially completed the reclamation of the artificial island and the construction of seawall and breakwater. Foundation works at the artificial island, other civil engineering works and installations are now in progress. I·PARK1 adopted the Modular Integrated Construction approach. The major electrical and mechanical units are prefabricated in Zhuhai, and then transported to the artificial island for assembly and testing. Members noted that the first giant prefabricated electrical and mechanical equipment module arrived in Hong Kong earlier this year, and the remaining electrical and mechanical equipment modules are being delivered gradually.

     A total of 12 members and non-Subcommittee members of the Public Works Subcommittee joined the visit.  

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee to Study Matters Relating to Typhoon Shelters and Sheltered Anchorages conducted a site visit to the typhoon shelters at Aberdeen, Kwun Tong and Yau Ma Tei today (December 5) to understand the latest management of these typhoon shelters and sheltered anchorages.
 
     Members first visited the Aberdeen South and West Typhoon Shelters by the Government launch. Members learnt that three sets of additional landing facilities would be constructed in the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter to enhance public safety while boarding and alighting from vessels. Meanwhile, to support the Invigorating Island South initiative and address the demand in Hong Kong Island South for sheltered spaces, the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter will be expanded. Construction works will commence in 2025 tentatively.
 
     Members then went to the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter and New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter to understand the pilot scheme for the exclusive mooring of non-pleasure vessels within the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter, and other berthing spaces-related arrangement carried out by the Marine Department in the two typhoon shelters. During the visit, Members received briefings by Marine Department on the measures to combat illegal activities by vessels berthing in typhoon shelters. Members noted that the Department has carried out patrols in typhoon shelters from time to time to ensure that fairways were unobstructed and vessels were berthed in a safe and orderly manner; and conducted joint operations with the Fire Services Department and the Police Force.
 
     Members who participated in the visit were the Subcommittee Chairman, Mr Steven Ho; Subcommittee members Mr Frankie Yick, Ms Judy Chan and Mr Benson Luk. Representatives of the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Marine Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and the Hong Kong Police Force attended the visit.

      

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 5) said that in order to further disseminate information of the District Council (DC) election, appeal to the public to vote on the polling day, express gratitude to the public's support and share joy with the public, the HKSAR Government has prepared two heartwarming arrangements on the polling day: a thank you card presented to voters after casting their votes and a "check-in" spot set up next to the polling stations for the public to take photos. In addition, a theme song "Build a Better Community Beneath the Lion Rock" has been released in celebration of the DC election.

     A Government spokesman said, "The thank you cards are to express gratitude to the public for their support, with a view to working with them to build a better community. It was designed by civil servants and produced by the Government Logistics Department with environmentally friendly paper. Famous scenic spots and landmark features in different districts are put together beneath the Lion Rock, representing all districts in Hong Kong joining hands to build a better community and a better Hong Kong."

     For the "check-in" spots set up beside the polling stations, the spokesman said, "We will set up a mid-size foam board at a location beside the polling station which will not affect the public order. The foam board, comprising the election mascots, Ballot Box Family, i.e. Blue Ballot, Red Ballot and Grandpa Ballot, allows members of the public to take photos to leave them with fond memories and enhance the vibe on the election day."

     In addition, to appeal to the public to work together to build a better community, a television station released a theme song "Build a Better Community Beneath the Lion Rock ". It originates from the popular song "Beneath the Lion Rock" with new lyrics, and is sung by a group of popular movie and television stars, with a view to inspiring the public to build a better community and a better Hong Kong together.

     The Government spokesman emphasised, "The arrangements are purely for the enjoyment of the public and the enhancement of the public's concerns and caring on the reformed DCs and the DC election. We appeal again to all voters to cast their votes on the DC election day on December 10. The DCs reflect the expectations and aspirations of the public on district affairs to the Government. Members of the public should make good use of their precious ballots to vote for their preferred candidate, in pursuit of building a better community and a better Hong Kong together."