Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 22) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, Mui Wo Swimming Pool in Islands District has been temporarily closed until further notice to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Yellow fire danger warning
The fire danger situation today (October 22) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.
The opening ceremony for Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok was held today (October 21, Bangkok time) at the Prince Mahidol Hall in Thailand. The opening concert, "Shostakovich Piano Concerto" performed by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) under the baton of resident conductor Lio Kuokman, brought enchanting melodies to the local audience. The concert also included joint performance featuring renowned Thai pianist Poom Prommachart and the HK Phil's principal trumpet Nitiphum Bamrungbanthum who is also from Thailand. The performance, which marked the grand opening of Hong Kong Week, was well received by the local audience.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, addressed the opening ceremony in a video message, saying that as a metropolis blending Chinese and Western cultures, Hong Kong believes that people-to-people bond could be fostered by cultural exchange. He said that Hong Kong is eager to share its artistic achievements with the world and endeavours to capitalise on its unique strengths as a conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world, bringing quality artworks encompassing rich Chinese culture to more overseas cities.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok offers a wide variety of programmes covering music, dance, intangible cultural heritage, film and fashion to showcase the essence of Hong Kong's East-meets-West cultural DNA, and its Chinese and Hong Kong stories and aesthetics.
Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok is the first overseas cultural exchange extravaganza organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). It is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand. Other officiating guests attending the opening ceremony included the Minister of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Sermsak Pongpanit; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul; the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, Mr Parson Lam; the Dean of the College of Music of the Mahidol University, Dr Narong Prangcharoen; and the Chief Executive of the HK Phil, Mr Benedikt Fohr.
Apart from the opening concert, Hong Kong Week will bring a diverse array of programmes for audiences in Thailand from today to November 12. They include a chamber concert "Brass and Percussion" by the brass and percussion sections of the HK Phil and the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra; a dance performance "Convergence" by the Hong Kong Dance Company; two chamber music concerts by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, including one with students from the Mahidol University; pop music performances "Pop Beat by SENZA A Cappella" and "Pop Beat by Respire and Friends"; "Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival" exhibition; film programme "Movies to GO – Border Crossings in Hong Kong Cinema – Thailand"; "Next Generation: Emerging Directors Exhibition & Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation" and "JUXTAPOSED 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok" fashion exhibition and fashion show.
For more programme information, please visit www.hongkongweek.gov.hk.
In addition to Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok, the LCSD is also organising various cultural exchange activities. They include the Asia+ Festival, the New Vision Arts Festival and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival and more, promoting the cultural exchanges and co-operation of different places.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 21) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The 2023/24 seasonal influenza vaccination programmes have started and the CHP appealed to members of the public to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) to better protect themselves in the coming influenza season.
The case involves a 16-year-old male patient with good past health. He developed runny nose on October 19 and was found unconscious today. He was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital where he was noted to have fever and convulsion. He was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment subsequently. His nasopharyngeal swab was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was paediatric influenza infection complicated with encephalopathy. He is still hospitalised and is in serious condition.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contact is currently asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."
A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
​The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
​The spokesman for Kwong Wah Hospital made the following announcement today (October 21) regarding a hospital facility safety incident:
A door closer of an automatic door in the Ambulatory Orthopaedic Service Centre was detached last night (October 20). No patients or staff were injured during the incident and patient services were unaffected.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident, and emergency repair was arranged immediately. After preliminary investigation, it is believed that the door closer was detached from the door frame. Twenty pairs of the same type of automatic doors have been switched to manual operation mode, immediate inspections have been arranged, and strengthening work will be completed tomorrow (October 22) to ensure operation safety.
The hospital has requested the automatic door contractor to investigate the cause of the incident thoroughly and submit a report. The hospital had reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.