Hospital Authority's statement regarding calibration certificate for vibration sensor used in hospital redevelopment and expansion projects
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) issued the following statement today (December 10) regarding the calibration certificate for vibration sensor used in hospital redevelopment and expansion projects:
The HA yesterday (December 9) reported to the police a suspected case of forged calibration certificate for vibration sensor for further investigation. A subcontractor named Novox Limited (Novox) submitted the calibration certificate to the main contractor, China Railway Construction Group Co.,Ltd (CRCC), for the expansion project of the Lai King Building in Princess Margaret Hospital (LKB). And the certificate was submitted to HA through the main contractor. Subsequent verification by the HA confirmed that the calibration certificate was not issued by the Guangdong Zhongzhenghang Metrology Testing Co., Ltd as listed on the certificate.
The HA takes this matter very seriously thus actively reporting to the Police. The HA has also instructed the main contractor to rigorously follow up and thoroughly investigate the incident. The HA has also requested the main contractor to suspend the work of the subcontractor, Novox Limited (Novox) and the HA reserves all rights to pursue legal action against any breach of hospital construction contract.
Vibration sensors are installed at hospital redevelopment and expansion sites to ensure that vibrations generated by construction works do not affect hospital operations and medical services. Apart from installing vibration sensors at hospital construction sites, the project team will also deploy portable instruments for manual monitoring where necessary. The vibration sensors are generally calibrated annually by the contractor to ensure the accuracy of the monitoring data. The contractor is also required to provide a certificate after the calibration.
The spokesperson for the HA emphasized, "These monitoring instruments serve a precautionary purpose. In parallel, the main contractor also use portable instruments for manual monitoring. We are also closely monitoring the feedbacks by our stakeholders. Should any healthcare staff report any service disturbance from the construction work, regardless of whether the vibration levels exceed specified limits, the hospital will prioritize patient safety and medical services by immediately suspending the relevant construction work. Over the past six months, the HA has not received any reports of medical services being suspended due to vibrations caused by hospital construction."
The spokesperson added that the HA has conducted a preliminary assessment of the incident that there was no impact on medical services nor patient safety.
The HA is highly committed to ensuring the safety and management of hospital construction projects. All hospital construction contracts specify reference levels for acceptable vibration levels to ensure the impact of construction on hospital operations and medical services is minimized. The HA will investigate the relevant projects comprehensively, to verify all surveillance data and the process of data upload. The HA also strictly requires contractors to implement measures ensuring all works comply with relevant regulations. Regular inspections by the construction consultants are conducted to monitor contractors' adherence to the requirements and verify compliance standards.
Novox was a subcontractor of vibration monitoring hired by the main contractors in various hospital redevelopment and expansion projects (including the LKB expansion project), whereas BEWIS Sensing Technology LLC (BEWIS) was the subcontractor of Novox in vibration sensor supply and equipment calibration.
On October 27, HA received notification from BEWIS stating that the contractual relationship with Novox has already been terminated. After redeiving such information, the HA immediately inquired the main contractors of all relevant hospital construction projects, requiring them to ensure that all projects remain unaffected. The HA also instructed the construction consultants and main contractors to reassess the performance of projects undertaken by Novox. Main contractors were reminded to strengthen supervision to ensure project quality meets standards and contractual requirements. The HA has also required all main contractors to commission accredited testing centers to recalibrate vibration sensors and submit certificates.
OnNovember 15, the HA subsequently received five calibration certificates by Novox from the main contractor of LKB. Among all, four of the calibration were conducted on October 28, 2025, while the remaing one was conducted on November25, 2024. Meanwhile, the HA received a relevant enquiry from HK01 on November 18. For the sake of prudency, the HA particularly tried to verify the authenticity of the certificate with the accredited testing centers. On December 8, the HA received notification through CRCC that the relevant authority had not issued such calibration certificate and suspected that the document was forged.
Currently, apart from the LKB, Novox has also undertaken vibration monitoring projects for other hospitals, including Kwong Wah Hospital, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, Grantham Hospital, and North District Hospital. Novox has also been appointed by various main contractors on real time noise and vibration monitoring system and the online monitoring platform, as well as noise and dust meters. In view of the abovementioned incidents, the HA will comprehensively review and trace all hospital construction projects and services commissioned by Novox, and the certificates submitted by Novox. The HA has zero tolerance on fraudulence. If any fraudulent activity is discovered, the matter will definitely be referred to the police for further investigation and damages will be claimed.
The Hospital Authority, Photo source: reference image
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
