Hospital Authority implements special measures to handle chikungunya fever case
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (August 2) that the HA is taking the imported case of chikungunya fever in Hong Kong very seriously, and public hospitals have implemented special measures and enhanced patient monitoring.
The spokesperson said that the HA Central Committee on Infectious Disease and Emergency Response had earlier convened a special meeting to discuss special measures and risk assessment for chikungunya fever, and public hospitals have implemented a series of measures in response. Public hospitals will adopt the strategy of "early detection, early testing and early treatment". Emergency departments and outpatient clinics have been reminded to maintain vigilance and enhance monitoring of patients with relevant symptoms such as fever and severe joint pain. They will strictly implement patient screenings, including travel history, whether patients have visited places with confirmed cases, and whether they have been bitten by mosquitoes, to identify suspected cases early.
When suspected cases are identified, public hospitals will arrange to send patient samples to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for testing as soon as possible to determine whether patients are infected with chikungunya fever. If patients are confirmed positive, healthcare workers will provide appropriate treatment promptly.
The spokesperson said, "The HA Infectious Disease Centre and other public hospitals have reserved beds to receive patients. The HA will maintain close communication with the CHP to monitor the situation, and can mobilize more beds and manpower to care for patients when necessary. The HA also has sufficient antipyretic and related medicines to treat patients in need."
The HA has also reminded hospitals to strengthen mosquito control and clear stagnant water to reduce the risk of mosquito breeding and transmission of chikungunya fever in areas near hospitals. Hospitals will also urge construction site managers to strictly implement mosquito control and stagnant water clearance measures.
The HA will work closely with CHP to monitor the latest developments, and conduct continuous risk assessments to implement corresponding measures.
The spokesperson also urged members of the public who return from areas affected by chikungunya fever to inform healthcare workers when seeking medical consultations to facilitate early arrangements.
Source: AI-found images
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
