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The Housing Department (HD) today conducted a drill in Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate to keep its frontline staff alert and prepared in dealing with possible resurgence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
"Following the activation of the "Alert Level" of the three-tier Emergency Response System earlier this month, the drill is to test frontline staff's response should a confirmed SARS case occur," the Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Lau Kai-hung, said.
In today's drill, a tenant in the estate was supposedly confirmed to have SARS, activating the highest level of Emergency Response System.
A 40-member Special Cleansing Team comprising a medical officer from the Department of Health, health inspectors from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and cleansing workers from the property services company were called in to thoroughly disinfect the flat concerned.
An immediate inspection of the drainage system and vent pipe inside the concerned flat was also made, together with disinfection and cleaning of other public facilities, including lift lobbies and lifts.
Diluted household bleach was added into the flush water tank of the confirmed block and the lift pits were inspected and cleaned under the supervision of a Building Services Engineer.
Mr Lau said that HD would continue to deter hygiene-related misdeeds through the Marking Scheme.
"Since August last year, about 2,000 public housing tenants have accrued points for such misdeeds as spitting and littering, among them 31 were allotted with more than 10 points each," he said.
Mr. Lau reminded public housing tenants that a tenancy would be terminated when 16 points or more had been recorded within two years. He called on public housing tenants to maintain good personal hygiene habits by keeping their home and the estates clean.
"Estate hygiene is important to all public housing tenants regardless of whether the SARS alert is on or not," Mr Lau said, adding that public education would be stepped up through the distribution of publicity leaflets and display at notice board and lift lobby.
Ends/Thursday, May 20, 2004
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