The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital made the following updates today (May 9):
      
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has performed enhanced surveillance, and one more patient, a 6-day-old baby girl, was confirmed as an MRSA carrier without any symptoms of infection. The patient is being treated in isolation with stable condition.
      
     The hospital has performed enhanced medical surveillance and screening of the patients in the ward concerned. The following infection control measures have been stepped up according to established guidelines:
      

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned, including the environment, incubators, equipment and instruments;
2. Enhanced medical surveillance of the patients and environmental screening procedures in the ward concerned; and
3. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff. Family members are reminded that infection control measures must be implemented before visiting their babies.

     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.

     The Security Bureau held an interdepartmental pre-typhoon tabletop exercise today (May 9) at the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre in the Central Government Offices to enhance the collaboration of bureaux, departments and other parties concerned in handling possible emergency situations if Hong Kong is struck by a super typhoon.
      
     According to the Hong Kong Observatory's forecast, there will be five to eight tropical cyclones hitting Hong Kong this year and the tropical cyclone season will begin in or after June. To be well prepared in a comprehensive manner for coping with the possible emergency situations should a super typhoon batter Hong Kong, representatives from around 40 bureaux, departments and other parties concerned participated in this year's exercise. 
      
     The exercise simulated the scenario of a super typhoon and rainstorm battering Hong Kong and causing widespread property damage and serious blockage of main thoroughfares. Participants were required to set out what they would be doing in different scenarios. The exercise also served as an interdisciplinary platform for the participants to share their experience and expertise. Through the exercise, the participating parties have gained a better understanding of the operation of the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre as well as their own roles and responsibilities, and those of others, which is conducive to better preparedness and enhanced interdepartmental collaboration in responding to threats arising from super typhoons. 

     The Government will continue to work on strengthening capabilities on all fronts in the face of the challenges of extreme weather, so as to safeguard the life and property of Hong Kong people.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, May 9, 2024 is 106 (same as yesterday's index).

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Kai Tak yesterday morning (May 8), in which a male worker, while inspecting the progress of construction works on a power-operated elevating work platform, was trapped between the platform and a metal structure. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

     The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the use of the platform. The contractors cannot resume the work until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

     The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.

     In regard to yesterday's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and by email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

     The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) announced today (May 9) that mobile network operators (MNOs) have been actively setting up fifth generation mobile services (5G) radio base stations (RBSs) at major public event venues and nearby government venues to implement the policy measure relating to the enhancement of 5G network capacity at major public event venues as specified in the 2023 Policy Address.
 
     Major public event venues undergoing enhancement of 5G network capacity in the first phase include Central Harbourfront Event Space, Hong Kong Coliseum, Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) and Victoria Park. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and OFCA have been proactively co-ordinating with MNOs, relevant venue managers and government departments to streamline the approval and installation procedures so as to facilitate prompt installation of 5G RBSs by MNOs at these venues, enhancing their 5G network capacity and ensuring smoother communications services for mobile users attending major public events at these venues.
 
     A spokesman for OFCA welcomed the co-operation and co-ordination of venue managers and relevant government departments, which have facilitated the prompt commencement of the relevant 5G RBS installation works at these venues with satisfactory progress made thus far. At present, four MNOs have completed the installation of and activated the 5G RBSs at HKCEC, AWE and near Victoria Park. After completion of the installation works, 4G network services at HKCEC and AWE have been upgraded to 5G. Following the activation of the 5G RBS near Victoria Park, 5G network capacity at the aforementioned locations has also been significantly enhanced. In addition, the installation works of 5G RBSs at Central Harbourfront Event Space, Hong Kong Coliseum and Kai Tak Sports Park have commenced progressively, and the 5G RBSs at Central Harbourfront Event Space and Hong Kong Coliseum will be activated shortly in phases.
 
     "OFCA will continue to work closely with relevant government departments and MNOs to enhance 5G network capacity at more major public event venues through installation of additional mobile infrastructures, with a view to providing mobile users with seamless, secure and efficient communication services, ensuring smooth proceeding of major public events and supporting Hong Kong's reputation as a host city for international mega events with the provision of high-quality and reliable telecommunications infrastructure," the spokesman added.