Chairman’s Announcement (28 May 2004) 

Campus SARS Alert Level Is Lowered 

As there have been no new cases of SARS in China since May 4, Hong Kong is going to stand down SARS Alert Level effective today.  A total of 9 patients were infected during the latest outbreak in Beijing and Anhui since April 22.  Except for one patient in Anhui province who had deceased, all the other 8 patients had been recovered and discharged from hospital.  The close contacts in these two places had all been released from medical surveillance.  In its announcement on May 18, the World Health Organisation considered that the chain of human-to-human transmission appeared to have been broken. 

After making careful assessment of the threat of SARS in Hong Kong and neighbouring areas, the government announced in its press release of May 25 that the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority decided that they would stand down their SARS Alert Level and Yellow Alert respectively on May 28. 

In line with the government’s decision, the Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force has decided to lower the alert stage to the “General Preparedness and Vigilance Level” on its Alert and Action Plan.  At this Level, we urge all university staff and students to continue their vigilance and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene practices, including:

·       Frequent hand washing.

·       Consult a doctor if feeling unwell.

·      Wear a surgical mask when suffering from respiratory tract infection such as coughing or sneezing. 

The Task Force will continue to monitor the SARS development closely.  Please keep updated at our website.

Chairman’s Announcement (10 May 2004)

From the most updated information from the Ministry of Health, P.R. of China, apart from the initial nine people confirmed to have contracted SARS in Beijing and Anhui in the latest outbreak, no new suspected cases were reported since.  Ms. Li, the first confirmed SARS patient in Beijing last month, was discharged from Ditan Hospital on 5 May.  All of the people put in quarantine in Anhui had been released from medical observation with another 693 people removed from quarantine list in Beijing.

Although the situation seems to be under favourable control, the Task Force would like to remind staff and students that Hong Kong and Hospital Authority are still on the alert level.  Our campus also remains on Alert Level of the Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan.  In an effort to promote the message of enhancing personal hygiene, the Task Force has produced a new poster showing the correct way of washing hands.  Six easy to follow steps are highlighted on the poster “Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently”.  Frequent and proper hand washing is one of the effective means to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.  It can effectively remove more than 90 percent of infectious bacteria and germs living on your hands.  This poster will be posted in the campus alongside with another one “Maintain good personal hygiene, stay healthy”. 

Chairman’s Announcement (3 May 2004) 

Since 22 April 2004, there had been a total of 6 confirmed cases and 3 suspected cases of SARS in China.  At its meeting held on 26 April, the Task Force had reviewed the measures to be taken by relevant units under the current Alert Level of the CUHK Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan.  The University Health Service will continue to operate a fever clinic.  All patients attending UHS are requested to voluntarily fill in a simple SARS/Flu Questionnaire for the information of the attending doctors.  Those with fever and/or respiratory symptoms are requested to wear a mask.    Canteen operators on campus are reminded to strictly follow a high standard of food hygiene and environmental hygiene, and to observe the University’s mask policy.  The Business Office is maintaining a minimum stock of 50,000 masks for purchase by staff and students.   

The University Safety and Environment Office has issued a circular to remind all researchers and laboratory personnel the importance of following bio-safety practices in the course of their work.  The bio-safety guidelines can be found on the USEO website (www.cuhk.edu.hk/useo/safety/index.htm) under sections Lab Safety and Risk Assessment.  For enquiries on laboratory safety procedures or guidelines, please call USEO at 2609-7958.