December 1, 2022

The Hong Kong government has appealed to the public to wear warm clothes amid the temperature drop in the region, after four more people were declared dead due to the current cold. The total number of victims due to prolonged extreme weather this week has risen to nine people, Monday (11/1/2021).

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also predicted the weather will remain cool through the weekend. The Center for Health Protection also warns that low temperatures can trigger or worsen the disease. They reminded the elderly and those suffering from heart and respiratory diseases to stay alert because at least five elderly people died after collapsing at their homes on Saturday.

According to The Standard, the Senior Citizens Home Safety Association said between 12:00 and 16:30 yesterday, its private emergency link service was called by 1,010 users at home, 46 of whom were sent to hospital. The Hospital Authority also reported that from 5.30pm on Saturday to 7am yesterday, 485 patients visited the accident and emergency department due to the cold weather.

HKO expects cold and dry weather to persist for the next few days as winter affects Guangdong’s coast. Today’s temperature is expected to be 8 to 12 degrees Celsius, with humidity between 40 and 60 percent. Tomorrow’s weather forecast is between nine and 16 degrees. The weather will be cold in the morning and evening. Mercury is expected to drop again next Monday, with temperatures as low as 12 degrees.

When the temperature dropped to 10 degrees yesterday morning, three elderly people, including a 96-year-old female resident of the Shau Kei Wan orphanage and two men from Quarry Bay and Mei Foo, were found unconscious and pronounced dead. Another 32-year-old woman believed to be chronically ill also fainted at her home in the Kin Ming Estate, Tseung Kwan O, and eventually died.

CHP reminds people to keep their bodies warm by wearing adequate clothing, maintaining adequate calorie intake and doing regular exercise to promote blood circulation and heat production.

“Older people have less insulating fat under their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanisms may be weaker.” Chan explained.

Hong Kong College of Cardiology president Chan Ngai-yin said contractions in the blood vessels would increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. He said some older people may experience decreased mobility, which in turn slows their ability to generate and conserve body heat. It is very common in those who suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and endocrine disorders that lower their metabolic rate.

“Seniors should avoid going out for too long. Even if you are indoors, you still have to do light exercises at home,” said Chan.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *