The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (March 1) set up a holding centre at Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre to provide care services for elderly patients referred by the Hospital Authority (HA). The centre has come into immediate operation.
In view of the recent severe epidemic situation, a large number of members of the public have called on public hospitals for medical consultation. Many of them are elderly persons. To alleviate the pressure on public hospitals, the holding centre will, upon referral by the HA, receive either elderly patients who have contracted COVID-19 but are showing mild symptoms or recovering elderly patients who are assessed by the HA as suitable for discharge.
With around 180 beds, the centre at Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre provides basic meals and nursing support without charges. The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon has formed a care team to provide temporary care services at the centre at short notice. The SWD expresses heartfelt gratitude for its swift support.
The first holding centre set up by the SWD earlier at Choi Wing Road Sports Centre in Kwun Tong has already come into operation on February 20.
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