DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 12) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.
In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:
- Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
- Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;
- Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
- Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
- Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.
In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:
- Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
- The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
- Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.
The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.
Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
- While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
- Seek shade;
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.
If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.
Source: AI-found images
HKSAR LegCo firmly supports the court's lawful sentencing in the case of "incitement to subversion of state power by the Hong Kong Alliance"
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) stated, through a spokesperson, today (September 12) that LegCo firmly supports the sentencing handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court in accordance with the law concerning the case of "incitement to subversion of state power by the Hong Kong Alliance". LegCo considers this ruling a demonstration of legal justice that robustly upholds the constitutional order of the HKSAR as established by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China (the Constitution) and the Basic Law. LegCo resolutely opposes the malicious smears and defamatory attacks made by certain western countries regarding this case, among others.
The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that the court clearly stated in its ruling that the defendants were not being tried for their political beliefs or for actions taken prior to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. Instead, the court focused solely on the law and evidence, which demonstrated that, after the Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect, the defendants continued to pursue the goal of overthrowing and undermining the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as established by the Constitution. They engaged in various acts of incitement over a period of 14 months, attempting to erode trust in the CPC among people of all ages in Hong Kong, thereby aiming to subvert the fundamental system of the People's Republic of China and seriously endangering national security. Based on solid facts and legal grounds, and following an open, transparent, fair and impartial trial, the court ruled in accordance with the law that the case fell within the category of "serious" offenses and imposed reasonable and lawful sentences. The litigation rights of defendants were safeguarded in accordance with the law, and the independent judicial process remained free from any interference.
The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that the Constitution is the fundamental law of the state. It clearly stipulates that the leadership by the CPC is the core of the fundamental system established by the Constitution, which establishes the CPC's governing status. No country's constitution permits citizens to subvert the established constitutional order and the fundamental system of the state. As a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong must respect and uphold the fundamental system of the state.
The LegCo spokesperson emphasized that the HKSAR consistently upholds the rule of law and safeguards national security, strictly adhering to the fundamental principles that the law must be observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account. This is also the universal principle shared by the international community. All defendants in this case received a fair and open trial, with their rights guaranteed under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. Punishing acts of incitement to subvert state power in accordance with the law serves to uphold the rule of law and national security. There is no basis for claims about "undermining confidence in the rule of law".
However, certain western countries, anti-China organizations and media outlets have engaged in malicious smears and attacks regarding various cases—including the one at hand—making reckless judgements about Hong Kong's rule of law and court rulings. They have even attempted to glamorize criminal acts that gravely endanger national security, interfering in Hong Kong's judicial system and the internal affairs of our country through double standards. These acts have precisely and truly undermined the rule of law in Hong Kong.
The LegCo spokesperson emphasized that court rulings on various national security cases have clearly established that freedom of expression is not absolute. Citizens cannot engage in acts endangering national security under the name of human rights, democracy or freedom. In fact, since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the rule of law in Hong Kong has been further enhanced, and the various freedoms lawfully enjoyed by residents have received more substantive protection. Different indicators demonstrate that Hong Kong is a safe, stable and investment-friendly society. It fully proves that security and development go hand in hand, bringing immense benefit to the development of Hong Kong.
As an integral part of the governance team of the HKSAR, LegCo supports the HKSAR Government in governing in accordance with the law, fully and accurately implementing the laws safeguarding national security, ensuring the steadfast implementation of "One Country, Two Systems", resolutely defending national sovereignty, security and development interests, and safeguarding the high-quality development of the nation and Hong Kong with a high level of security.
Source: AI-found images
