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Following is the translation of the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at a press conference tonight (March 27) to announce measures to combat atypical pneumonia:
Hong Kong is currently facing its most serious contagious disease threat in 50 years. The Government will join forces with the community at large to make every effort to win the battle against the disease.
From the standpoint of prevention, we must first cut off the path by which the virus spreads. The most effective measure is to conduct frequent checks on those who may have been infected, for example family members of the infected person, during the incubation period, and to isolate the infected for treatment during the onset of the disease.
Beginning next Monday, the Director of Health will use her powers under the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance to require people who have come into close contact with those suffering from atypical pneumonia to report each day for check-up at a designated clinic for 10 days. If they have developed the symptoms of the disease, they will be admitted to hospital for isolation and treatment. They should stay at home as far as possible and should not go out unless it is absolutely necessary. The Department of Health will contact these persons directly from tomorrow to inform them about the detailed arrangements. The Department will also stop them from going to work and schools.
Under the law, any persons who do not obey these regulations will be punished. We also have the power to enforce these mandatory requirements whenever necessary.
As for those who have contact, but not close contact, with infected persons on social occasions, we will provide them with the relevant information and a hotline number for consultation. I also appeal to those who have visited Ward 8A of the Prince of Wales Hospital and the 9th floor of the Metropole Hotel to contact the Department of Health hotline to listen to the guidance.
Because there is a constant flow of people between Hong Kong and the Mainland, we must step up co-operation with the Central and Guangdong authorities to exchange information so that together we can combat atypical pneumonia and other diseases more effectively. During my visit to Beijing on March 18, I took the opportunity to liaise with the Minister of Health, Mr Zhang Wenkang, seeking to establish a closer liaison mechanism. I now have the agreement of the Central Government to set up as soon as possible a liaison mechanism with Mainland authorities, including the Guangdong authorities, which will further strengthen our co-operation in the areas of the state of the disease, clinical treatment as well as control and cause of the disease.
All the detailed arrangements for the quarantine and prevention of disease will be explained by Dr Yeoh later. As this virus may be imported into Hong Kong, we have decided to introduce infectious disease declaration measures at all immigration control points.
Starting this Saturday, all persons arriving in Hong Kong will be required to fill out a health declaration form. Department of Health staff will be stationed at all control points to deal with people who have symptoms of atypical pneumonia.
We have recently heard many parents voice their concerns over their children's health, asking for closure of schools. It is understandable for parents to express concern over their children's health. In response to parents' concerns, the Education and Manpower Bureau will, with effect from March 29, suspend classes in all secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and day classes of the Vocational Training Council until April 6. Tertiary institutions are not affected by this decision. Taking into account the development of the disease, the Bureau will review the situation during this period to decide if the closure should continue.
During the school closure period, principals, teachers and other staff members will be present in the schools during class hours to answer questions from pupils about their studies through telephones and Internet. If necessary, parents may allow their children to go back to school for revision study. Professor Li will explain the detailed arrangements later.
I must emphasise that although the disease is serious, we have a first-class public health system, highly professional medical staff and talented medical research teams. Since the cases occurred in Hong Kong on March 10, which was 17 days ago, we have made substantial progress in four areas. First, we have identified the source of the disease. Second, we have successfully discovered the new virus. Third, we have successfully developed a quick diagnostic test. Fourth, targetted treatment methods which are 80 to 90 per cent effective. In other words, among the 150 to 160 patients who have received effective treatment, the success rate is more than 80 per cent. You can see that we have achieved a lot in the past 17 days, in particular in medical development. Professor Yuen and Professor Tam will elaborate on this later.
I would like to call on every member of our community to shoulder responsibility in this battle against the disease. Our concerted efforts are needed. But what should we be doing as individuals?
* If you have been in close contact with atypical pneumonia patients, you must follow the advice of the Department of Health: visit the designated clinic every day for a check-up and stay at home as far as possible.
* If you have symptoms of the disease, see a doctor promptly. Experience indicates that the earlier a patient receives treatment, the better the chance of recovery. It is unfortunately true that 10 patients have died of the disease up until today, but this was because they had been admitted too late for treatment and because of other complications.
* If your symptoms include cough and running nose, in addition to seeing a doctor promptly, you should wear a mask to reduce the chance of infecting others.
* Everybody should pay attention to hygiene. We should wash our hands frequently and make sure our homes are clean and well-ventilated.
* Employers should keep their workplaces as clean as possible. They should allow employees who feel unwell to take sick leave and see a doctor.
Tailor-made guidelines have been compiled for every business and profession and they will be widely distributed. We will continue to disseminate public health information via the electronic and print media so that all members of the community have a better understanding of the disease and how to protect themselves against it.
We must win this battle for the sake of our health. To win, we need the concerted effort of the whole community. Although we are under extreme difficulties, I have seen a ray of hope from our outstanding and dedicated medical research teams. I have seen that we are joining together in solidarity from the strong wishes expressed by various sectors of the community, including the media, to overcome our difficulties. I am fully confident that we will win this battle.
Thank you.
End/Thursday, March 27, 2003
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