The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 21) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following update today (June 20) regarding the electricity supply system interruption incident yesterday (June 19):

     After the interruption of electricity supply system interruption yesterday, the hospital had immediately arranged contractor to repair the electricity supply system and investigate the incident overnight. The contractor today has replaced the malfunction components in the system and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is now conducting independent testing, with a view to assure the electricity supply system to be safe and stable after repair. It is expected that the previously affected elective surgery services will be gradually resumed tomorrow (June 21).

     The spokesperson for KWH stated, "Preliminary investigation by the contractor who installed the electricity supply system revealed that there was a malfunction of the control components in the uninterrupted power supply system which is the third tier backup power supply source and this malfunction affected the operation of the third tier backup power supply system in the operating theatres."

     The spokesperson added that though the first tier power supply system and the second tier backup generators in the hospital were functioning normally, the hospital still decided to temporarily suspend operation of eight operating theatres for a comprehensive check up and system repair works, as a precautionary measure. The uninterrupted power supply system is the third tier backup power supply source of the operating theatres. When there were failures in the first and the second tier power supply simultaneity, it will be acting as a backup power supply to maintain operation of the essential medical equipment. Affected by the incident, 23 elective surgeries originally scheduled for today needed to be postponed and two elective surgeries needed to be transferred to another unaffected operating theatres. The two surgeries were both performed uneventfully.

     During the interruption of electricity supply yesterday, one ongoing surgery was needed to transfer to another unaffected operating theatre. Doctor discovered today that one surgical wound on the patient was found having leakage. After clinical examinations, the condition was confirmed to be a known complication of that surgery and the changing of the operating theatres did not affect the patient's condition. Doctors performed another operation to manage the patient's surgical wound and had explain to the patient's relatives.

     The spokesperson said, "KWH has instructed the contractor to repair the electricity supply system as soon as possible, so as to resume normal power supply in the hospital. The Hospital Authority has requested the contractor to perform full investigation and submit report. If necessary, the Hospital Authority will seriously claim liability against the contractors in accordance with the terms of the contract."

     Safety of patients is KWH's utmost concern. The hospital will adopt all feasible measures to resume the normal operation of the elective surgery of the operating theatres as soon as possible. All other clinical services in the hospital, including emergency surgery, inpatient services and Accident and Emergency service remained unaffected.

     KWH expressed apologies to the affected patients again. Investigation will be carried out to look into the incident. The hospital also invited relevant government departments to give advice so as to ensure the electricity supply system of the operating theatres to be safer and more stable.

     â€‹With the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), talented young Hong Kong double bass player Grace Chan took part in the 21st season of the Rome Chamber Music Festival (RCMF), which was staged at the Teatro Argentina in Rome from June 17 to 20 (Rome time).
 
     Chan was selected to be one of 32 emerging artists and young professionals – future stars – from around the world under the Young Artist Programme of the RCMF this year to perform cherished classical and contemporary masterpieces alongside world-renowned artists.
 
     Founded in 2003, the RCMF presents a diverse programme of masterworks performed by prominent artists and aspiring music talent. It is supported by, amongst others, the Italian Ministry of Culture and the City of Rome, and has become one of Rome’s most anticipated annual cultural events. Dedicated to nurturing new talent, the RCMF launched the Young Artist Programme which selects young artists and professionals from across the globe to participate.
 
     The HKETO, Brussels has been supporting Hong Kong musicians to join the Young Artist Programme of the RCMF for years, and is committed to facilitating Hong Kong talents to gain international exposure and to promoting exchanges between peoples and cultures. It highlights the efforts of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in fostering local artists, showcasing their talent on global stages and telling good stories of Hong Kong as the city reinforces itself as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.

  

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 20) welcomed over 400 senior representatives from Mainland and foreign companies at an Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) reception, thanking them for their lasting confidence in Hong Kong's business environment and calling upon them to continue using the city's global advantages to expand their business worldwide.

     Speaking at the reception, Mr Lee said that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying strong support of the country and being closely connected to the world. The city is one of the most liberal and easiest places to do business in the world. In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, Hong Kong's ranking jumped two places to fifth globally, and topped the world in "international trade" and "business legislation". Mr Lee said that Hong Kong plays important roles as a "super-connector" and a "super value-adder" between the Mainland and the rest of the world, serving as a two-way springboard for attracting overseas enterprises and for Mainland enterprises to "go global". Mr Lee said that Hong Kong warmly welcomes enterprises, talent, and investment to seize the unlimited opportunities offered by this vibrant international city.
 
     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, also attended and joined Mr Lee to offer a toast to the guests.

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, thanked the guests for their confidence in Hong Kong by setting up businesses in the city. She said that InvestHK and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) will offer the best support for helping Mainland and foreign companies tap business opportunities and thrive in Hong Kong.

     The guests who attended the reception are company representatives from various sectors around the world and had been assisted by InvestHK and the OASES over the past year in setting up or expanding their business in Hong Kong.

     InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support Mainland and overseas businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It has nine sector teams catering to the needs of different companies, and in recent years has expanded with new pillars, namely, the fintech and family office units to attract companies in these areas to set up in Hong Kong and develop a comprehensive ecosystem.

     For photos of the reception, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720318075925.

      

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) today (June 20) to learn more about the department's work in respect of maritime enforcement and import and export clearance. She also toured the Customs Marine Base (CMB) on Stonecutters Island and the Kwai Chung Customhouse (KCCH), and exchanged views with the department's management and frontline staff to learn about the latest developments of the department and the work of its staff.
 
     Mrs Yeung and the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, first arrived at the CMB and met with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and directorate staff, and received a briefing from them on the department's latest developments, law enforcement work and measures to facilitate trade and clearance. Mrs Yeung was pleased to learn that the C&ED would introduce to colleagues the content of the updated Civil Service Code which was promulgated not long ago to explain the core values of civil servants.
 
     Mrs Yeung then toured the CMB and boarded a high-speed pursuit craft and a sector patrol launch, where she was briefed by staff of the Marine Enforcement Group on their marine patrol and law enforcement work, as well as on the facilities on board. She also chatted with the frontline staff to learn about the challenges they encounter in their patrol and anti-smuggling operations. She thanked them for remaining steadfast in carrying out their duties for long hours amidst rough seas during inclement weather, and for doing their utmost to combat smuggling activities around the clock and enforcing the law with dedication.
 
     She then paid a site visit to the Cargo Examination Compound of the KCCH to learn more about the clearance and examination work for sea cargoes. She viewed a demonstration of a cargo inspection by staff members of the Ports and Maritime Command using the latest examination equipment to help ensure that no prohibited and controlled items enter Hong Kong.
 
     Mrs Yeung said, "With their concerted efforts, the C&ED colleagues have repeatedly shut down various forms of drug trafficking and smuggling activities. In the face of the ever-changing smuggling trends, every colleague should keep abreast of the times, take a step forward to guard for the public good, and continue to serve the public with dedication and professionalism."
 
     Before concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met with staff representatives from various grades in the department to exchange views on matters that concern them.