â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 20) will be cancelled.

     If the thunderstorm warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit by then, the flag-raising ceremony may be resumed without further notice.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (June 20) regarding an electricity supply interruption incident in operating theatres:

     The electricity supply system of KWH was temporarily interrupted at about 7pm last night (June 19), affecting the electricity supply of some operating theatres in the hospital. The hospital immediately arranged emergency repair and the electricity supply of the operating theatres resumed at about 7.50pm. During the electricity supply interruption, one surgery needed to be transferred to another unaffected operating theatre.

     The hospital has arranged a comprehensive check up of the electricity supply system. As a precautionary measure, services of some operating theatres needed to be suspended temporarily for further checking. About 25 elective operations originally scheduled for this morning will be postponed. The hospital is contacting the affected patients. All other clinical services in the hospital, including emergency operations, inpatient services and Accident and Emergency service remained unaffected.

     KWH expressed apologies to the affected patients. The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) announces a sentinel event today (June 19):

     A 61-year-old male patient, feeding with a nasogastric tube, was arranged to feed with formula milk after replacing a new tube by healthcare staff in an Orthopedic ward of QEH. While the patient’s condition deteriorated afterwards, it was revealed that the nasogastric tube was not placed in an appropriate position.
      
     The hospital is highly concerned about the incident. After preliminary review, it was revealed that a new nasogastric tube was inserted by a nurse on June 16 noon according to the established arrangement. Another nurse examined the patient in the evening and considered reinsertion of the nasogastric tube was needed. The nurse followed the established protocol to collect aspirated fluid samples for pH test and to verify the position by auscultation. Feeding of formula milk was then resumed, followed by a chest X-ray examination for the patient.
      
     The patient's condition suddenly deteriorated in the early morning of June 18. Doctors immediately performed resuscitation and arranged bronchoscopy examination for the patient, where a nasogastric tube was found placed in his bronchus. The tube was immediately removed by doctor and the patient was transferred to the High Dependency Unit for close monitoring. The patient is now hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit with critical condition. The clinical team will continue to closely monitor the patient's clinical condition and provide appropriate treatment.
      
     The hospital is saddened by the incident. QEH has met with the patient’s family to explain the incident, extend sincere apologies and express deep empathy. QEH will continue to closely communicate with the patient’s family and provide necessary assistance.
      
     The QEH is very concerned about the incident, and has reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System. A Root Cause Analysis Panel has been set up to investigate the root cause of the incident. The panel will submit report and recommend improvement measures within eight weeks. The panel members are as follows:
 
Chairperson:
Dr Tang Kam-shing
Hospital Chief Executive, Kwong Wah Hospital
 
Members:
Dr Fong Wing-chi
Chief of Service, Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
 
Ms Li Wah-chun
Cluster General Manager (Nursing), Kowloon Central Cluster
 
Dr Leung Chi-shing
Consultant, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Caritas Medical Centre
 
Mr Yip Chun-ki
Department Operations Manager, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital
 
Ms Chiu So-yan
Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management), Hospital Authority

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 19) continued its investigation into a case of dengue fever (DF) announced yesterday (June 18). The CHP urged again the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     According to the latest findings of epidemiological investigations, no linked case has been identified by the CHP so far. Meanwhile, blood sample of the patient's household contact tested negative for dengue virus upon laboratory testing. As at 6pm today, the CHP has contacted over 2 600 residents from over 1 000 households of Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai where the patient resided. No suspected case is identified.

     The CHP's further investigations revealed that the patient works in a company at Super Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport. Due to operational needs, she occasionally visits to the Cathay Cargo Terminal and Airport Freight Forwarding Centre. Her colleagues are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance. Officers from the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) inspected the relevant locations today. The management of the premises is advised to strengthen their anti-mosquito measures. The CHP and the Hong Kong Airport Authority have provided the relevant information to the airport staffs and will arrange health talk for the staffs working in the relevant premises.

     In addition, the patient recalled history of mosquito bites on a bus when travelling to and from workplace during the incubation period. Officers from the CHP inspected cleansing service contractor's mosquito prevention and control work on buses of that bus route concerned. The Transport Department has also requested the bus operator to strengthen mosquito control measures at appropriate times.

     The CHP held a health talk jointly with the FEHD this evening in the Tin Shui Community Centre, during which the CHP also conducted free DF antibody tests for people in the district with relevant symptoms.

     Meanwhile, the CHP appeals to persons who have been to Tin Shui (1) Estate with DF symptoms to call the CHP's hotline (2125 2374) which is operating from 9am to 5pm from today, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. Dengue fever is clinically characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and rash.

The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing and uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF pages of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.