â€‹The Social Welfare Department (SWD) held the Award Presentation Ceremony of the "Care the Carers Campaign" Short Video Competition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum today (November 28) to commend numerous short videos about carers. The ceremony aims to give praise and express gratitude to carers for their contributions and appeal to all sectors of society to show continuous care and support to carers.
      
     Officiated by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, and the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee, the ceremony was attended by an audience of around 400, including Legislative Council Members and District Council members, as well as representatives from advisory committees, non-governmental organisations and district organisations, to express respect and support for carers from different sectors of the community.
      
     The three-year territory-wide publicity campaign, Care the Carers Campaign, was launched last year. In support of this year's theme, "Walk with Carers", the SWD organised a short video competition. More than 180 submissions were received from individuals, schools and organisations. Members of the assessment panel included Miss Lee, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Cecilia Chan, and renowned director Ho Cheuk-tin.
      
     Mr Sun said in the ceremony that carers are indispensable for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. The Government has long been attaching great importance to carers' needs and providing continuous support to carers through different kinds of measures and services to relieve their pressure, including the 24-hour Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183, respite service, and living allowance for carers from low-income families, as well as personal care, home care and rehabilitation training for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
      
     Mr Sun commended the award-winning short videos not only for their outstanding quality but also for their delicate portrayal of carers' stories and challenges, while showing the community's care and support for carers. He made an appeal to the community to continue strengthening co-operation to enhance support for carers and build a carer-friendly environment.
      
     Prior to the ceremony, Mr Sun also officiated at another event organised by the SWD named "Walk with Carers at Palace Museum". The event invited about 400 elderly persons, persons with disabilities and their carers to visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum, followed by a scrumptious meal. The event allowed carers to take a break through a cultural and leisure trip while sharing the joy of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
      
     To enhance public understanding of carers' needs and contributions and promote mutual support in the community, the SWD has produced two new episodes of "The Stories of the Carers". The two videos and the award-winning short videos have been uploaded to the SWD's YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/@SocialWelfareDepartment). The list of awardees of the short video competition is available in the annex.

          

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (November 28) investigating a local case of dengue fever (DF), and reminds the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
      
     The patient is a 68-year-old woman with underlying illness. She developed a fever and skin rash on November 23 and sought medical attention at Hong Kong Baptist Hospital on November 25. She was admitted for treatment on the same day and is now in stable condition. Her blood sample tested positive for dengue virus upon laboratory testing.
      
     Initial investigations revealed that the patient lives in Golden Lion Garden Phase 2 in Tai Wai. She had no travel history within the incubation period and recalled no history of mosquito bites in the past three weeks.
      
     "The DH is working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to assess and prevent the possible spread of infection. The FEHD's vector investigations and mosquito control work are ongoing. The CHP's epidemiological investigations will continue. CHP officers are actively conducting field surveys of local residents through questionnaires to learn more and follow up on their health conditions. The CHP, together with the FEHD, will hold a health talk at the Lung Hang Estate Community Centre at 6pm tomorrow (November 29), during which the CHP will also conduct a free DF antibody test for people in the district with relevant symptoms," a spokesman for the CHP said.
      
     People who have been to Golden Lion Garden Phase 2 with DF symptoms should call the CHP's hotline (2125 2670) for laboratory testing or referral as appropriate. The hotline will operate from 9am to 5pm tomorrow, and from 9am to 1pm on November 30 and December 1. From December 2 to 6, the hotline will continue to operate from 9am to 5pm. In addition, the CHP has contacted the relevant District Council members to help disseminate and promote relevant health information to local residents.
      
     "Letters will be issued to local doctors and hospitals to alert them to the latest situation," the spokesman added.
      
     Apart from the above case, four local DF cases were recorded this year. Meanwhile, as of November 27, 148 imported DF cases had been recorded this year.
      
     "Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     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 or 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 page 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.

     An employer was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The employer pleaded guilty at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 28) and was sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

     The employer wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay seven employees their wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods totalling about $385,000, and also failing to pay two employees the awarded sum of about $92,000 within 14 days after the date set by the Labour Tribunal (LT).

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO, as well as the sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board," a spokesman for the LD said. 

     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.

     â€‹Correctional officers at Tong Fuk Correctional Institution stopped a fight among persons in custody today (November 28).
      
     At 11.02am today, six male persons in custody aged from 23 to 39 engaged in a fight inside a workshop. Officers at the scene immediately ordered them to stop, called for reinforcement and applied OC foam to subdue them after repeated warnings were ignored.
      
     During the incident, five persons in custody sustained injuries to their faces, shoulders and hands. They did not need to be sent to a public hospital after receiving medical examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer. The remaining person in custody did not sustain any injury.
      
     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.
      
     The six persons in custody were sentenced to imprisonment for the offences of trafficking in a dangerous drug, robbery and acting as a member of a triad society.

     The 11th Asia and Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), co-hosted by the IAP and the Department of Justice, officially commenced today (November 28) in Hong Kong, gathering around 240 participants, including local and overseas esteemed guests, senior government officials, legal professionals and experts, for the opening ceremony.

     The three-day conference, with related programmes starting yesterday, is themed "Effective Prosecution Service in the Technological Age" and has drawn about 140 participants from around 30 jurisdictions, underscoring the global commitment to combating technology crimes. The conference aims to address the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of technology in criminal activities and to enhance the ability of prosecutors to advance evidence against such criminals.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; and the First Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China, Class One Grand Prosecutor and Vice-President of the IAP, Mr Tong Jianming, delivered their welcome speeches today at the opening ceremony, marking the beginning of a series of discussions and exchanges focused on strengthening international efforts against technology-related crimes. The keynote speech was delivered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Maggie Yang.

     Hong Kong previously held the IAP Regional Conference in 2004, and subsequently the Annual Conference and General Meeting in 2007. Nearly two decades later, Hong Kong continues to commit to combating crimes under its common law system preserved by the "one country, two systems" principle. As new technologies have emerged in recent years, the world is facing unprecedented challenges posed by technology crimes. The conference provides participants with an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences to stay ahead of cybercriminals and enhance prosecutorial capabilities.

     The conference will cover a range of pertinent topics, including the challenges posed by decentralisation in the technological age, the handling of digital evidence, and the impact of technological advancements on criminal evidence and procedure today and tomorrow (November 29). Prosecutors at home and abroad will have the opportunity to exchange views and best practices, fostering a united and determined front against technology crime.