Cluster of Candida auris cases in Kowloon Central Cluster
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.
The spokesperson for the Kowloon Central Cluster made the following announcement today (October 17):
A 70-year-old male patient in a respiratory medicine ward of Kowloon Hospital (KH) was confirmed to be carrying Candida auris on September 23 without signs of infection. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, KH commenced a contact tracing investigation. Three more male patients (aged 53 to 88) from the same ward were subsequently confirmed to be carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. One patient is currently hospitalised at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for other medical needs. The remaining three patients are now being treated in isolation at KH and are in stable condition.
Moreover, regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases in the medical ward of Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH), one more patient of the ward concerned, an 89-year-old female, was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now in isolation care and is in stable condition.
The hospitals will continue the contact tracing investigations of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted at wards concerned to prevent the spread of Candida auris, namely:
thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.
The hospitals will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system
Organised by the Transport Department (TD), the Bus Parade cum Exhibition for Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, featuring buses from the past and present, was launched today (October 19) in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. It is one of the highlight events held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government amid National Day celebrations this year.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony this morning, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "Bus services have long been an indispensable and important part of Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihoods. Buses have not only met the travel needs of Hong Kong people every day, but have also witnessed the city's developments." The event marked the evolution of franchised buses in Hong Kong from the past to the present, engaging with the public to experience the crucial role of bus services in the public transport system, he added.
Mr Lam said, "The rapid development of new energy technologies of our country in recent years has enriched Hong Kong's choices of new energy public transport. Numerous electric double-decker buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses introduced into Hong Kong in the past few years were China-made models. Our country has been forging ahead steadfastly in the last 75 years and continuous innovations in such areas as energy and transport technology not only reflect our country's leading role in this field, but also bring the convenience of technology into the lives of the general public."
Also officiating at the ceremony were Legislative Council (LegCo) Member (Transport) Mr Frankie Yick; the Chairman of the LegCo Panel on Transport, Dr Chan Han-pan; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Eddie Cheung; the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee; the Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, and the management of franchised bus operators co-organising the event. Some 750 participants from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the TD, LegCo Members, the TAC, major public transport operators, Members of District Councils and district personalities attended the ceremony.
The officiating guests then boarded an open-top bus themed on the 75th National Day to lead a parade of eight retired and in-service buses from Victoria Park to Man Kwong Street, via Gordon Road, King's Road, Causeway Road, Hennessy Road, Fleming Road and Lung Wo Road, which was about 6 kilometres long. Members of the public enjoyed the parade along the route across districts and took photos to share the joy. The convoy engaged with the public and tourists at locations such as Hennessy Road near Jardine's Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the destination at Central Pier.
In addition, the four-day bus exhibition at the soccer pitches of Victoria Park is open to registered members of the public free of charge from this afternoon. The exhibition features a total of 10 retired and in-service buses, including the first-generation double-decker bus introduced 75 years ago and the newly introduced China-made new energy double-decker buses. Bus model exhibits, photo-taking spots simulating a bus driver and passengers, a neon light installation as well as bus service-related memorabilia including bus captain uniforms of different generations and vintage bus tickets are also on display.
The TD reminded members of the public registered to queue up and enter the exhibition via its entrance at Soccer Pitch No. 4 of Victoria Park (near the jogging track) with a QR code at the selected time slot. Each visitor can obtain one commemorative ticket on-site. Following an overwhelming response to the exhibition, all quotas including those for additional sessions are full. The TD thanked the public for their support.
The event is fully supported by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). The public may refer to the RTHK and the RTHK Radio 5 Facebook page for the live ceremony webcast.
Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
