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Public told to beware of heat stroke, stroke as ‘very hot’ warning raised

19 May 2021

By The SUN 

People are advised to remain indoors as much as possible to avoid the heat

Hong Kong raised the Very Hot Weather Warning today, May 19, and advised people to remain indoors as much as possible.

Nineteen heat shelters were also opened across the city to give relief to those who are forced to stay outdoors. They will remain open until 10pm if the warning is cancelled before 4:30pm. Otherwise, the shelters will remain open until 8am tomorrow.

As temperatures are expected to remain at 33 degrees Celsius until early next week, health authorities are reminding the public to take necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The Centre for Health Protection issued the reminder as many Hongkongers are expected to spend Buddha’s Birthday holiday, on outdoor activities.

Summer appears to have arrived a month early in Hong Kong this year with hot spells already recorded in April and this month.

The Hong Kong Observatory forecasts mainly fine weather for Hong Kong today, May 19, with some showers in the morning and a low of 28ºC. It will be very hot during the day with a high of 33ºC in urban areas and 35ºC in the New Territories.

Pindutin para sa detalye

The next few days will be very hot with sunny periods with a few showers on Thursday and Friday, the Observatory said.

The CHP advised the public to carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities.

“Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” a CHP spokesman explained.

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“The obese, the sick, those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

The stroke warning is also raised as cases are seen to spike during the hot season, with the Filipino community having its share of the toll.

Figures from the Hong Kong Health Department show that about 3,500 people die in the city each year due to stroke, and about 16,000 suffer a new or recurrent stroke within the same year.

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Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the city, after heart disease and cancer.

Vigorous activities like hiking are discouraged amid the hot weather

To prevent heat stroke, the CHP recommended the following precautions:

·         Wear loose and light-colored clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;

·         Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;

Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love.

·         Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;

·         For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and

·         Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start

work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals toallow the body to recuperate.


The public should also note the latest and the forecast ultraviolet index released by the Hong Kong Observatory. When the UV Index is high at 6 or above:
 

·         Minimize direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;

·         Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;

·         Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;

·         Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;

·         Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off; and

·         While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first before insect repellent.


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. 

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to hypertension

Meanwhile, the DH has called on the public to be aware of and regularly monitor their blood pressure level and lead a healthy lifestyle to guard against hypertension.

In an advisory issued to mark World Hypertension Awareness Day on Monday, the DH said that according to the World Health Organization, one in four men and one in five women worldwide have hypertension.

In Hong Kong, about 27.7 percent of people aged between 15 and 84 have high blood pressure, and about half of them are unaware of their condition, said the DH. 

It said people with such condition should take care more during these times as hypertension is “a prominent risk factor for severe Covid-19 and death. 

This means that those with hypertension are more likely to become seriously ill or died from Covid-19 compared to those who don’t have the condition.

Unless with contraindications, individuals with hypertension under stable control are encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccination for protection against the disease,” said the statement.

But it advised concerned individuals to first consult their family doctors about having Covid-19 vaccination.

Hypertension is said to occur when the pressure exerted on the walls of arteries is persistently high. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to severe complications such as coronary heart disease, stroke, aneurysm, retinal disease and kidney failure.

While some patients may suffer from headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath, hypertension does not usually come with obvious symptoms, said the DH advisory. This is why it is often called the “silent killer.”

Thus, it is important to check blood pressure regularly for early detection.

The 19 heat shelters are located in the following places:

      
Hong Kong Districts:
---------------------
 
Central and Western -
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern -
Causeway Bay Community Centre
7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern -
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay

Wan Chai -
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
------------------
 
Kowloon City -
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong -
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po -
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin -
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong -
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
--------------------------
 
Islands -
Tung Chung North Park (Zone B) Activity Room
29 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing -
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North -
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung -
King Lam Neighbourhood Community Centre
King Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin -
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po -
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan -
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun -
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long -
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long -
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

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