HA expands capacity of Community Treatment Facility to accommodate more patients

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (December 2) that the Community Treatment Facility in Halls 8 and 10 of AsiaWorld-Expo will commence operation tomorrow (December 3) to provide around an additional 500 beds, amid the more serious COVID-19 epidemic situation and surging number of confirmed patients.
      
     The HA spokesperson pointed out that public hospitals need to admit hundreds of patients who are either preliminarily confirmed or confirmed every day. HA has to augment the isolation capacity by expanding the Community Treatment Facility to receive patients who are in relatively stable condition and who can take care of themselves independently.
      
     The spokesperson said, "In addition, patient service demand will increase in anticipation of the winter surge. The Community Treatment Facility can alleviate the demand pressure for hospital beds, allowing hospitals to focus resources on the care of severe confirmed patients and patients with other medical needs."
      
     The two connecting halls to be opened can provide around 500 beds and 20 cabins with negative pressure facility. "Examination and treatment procedures such as oxygen therapy and electrocardiogram can be performed for patients, if required, in these negative pressure cabins. These cabins can also be used for family clusters with children to take care of," said the spokesperson.
      
     The HA is grateful for the support of the Central Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government for the construction of the Community Treatment Facility in Halls 8 to 11. The sharing of the Mainland's experience in setting up negative pressure cabins inside an indoor exhibition venue has been particularly useful. The availability of negative pressure cabins has provided greater flexibility and more choice in clinical management.
      
     Four exhibition halls will commence operation as a Community Treatment Facility by tomorrow, while two more halls are on standby mode. The HA will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic and open the remaining halls if needed.
      
     The HA also thanks the healthcare staff deployed from various hospital clusters, and the Locum doctors and nurses from the private sector to join hands in combatting the epidemic and serving the patients in the Community Treatment Facility.