It might take two to three weeks to recover as her right elbow bone was fractured and needed to be fixed with a cast, she said.

Lam posted a selfie on Facebook on Tuesday evening, saying this might be an opportunity for her, a busy Chief Executive, to have a good rest.

She explained that the injury was because she had fallen from the stairs before a dinner party for retired colleagues at the Government House on Monday night.

“At first I thought it was only a superficial wound, but the right hand became increasingly painful so I went to the Queen Mary Hospital on my own after farewelling the guests,” she wrote.

Lam said she had not taken leave for almost three years, and that she has been very busy before and after this year’s policy address.

“With the arm injury, (I will) take a break to recharge and continue to lead Hong Kong against the odds and implement the measures in this year’s policy address,” she said, adding that her biggest difficulties now were putting on clothes and writing.

Lam is now resting at her Government House after her overnight stay at the hospital, during which she received a brain scan and checkups.

“I want to thank the Queen Mary Hospital medical team’s thorough care, and I felt warmhearted with the caring messages from colleagues and friends,” she said.