Hospital Authority community treatment facility commences operation this afternoon (with photos)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) completed the preparation for the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo, and began admitting COVID-19 confirmed patients, aged 18 to 60 and with clinically suitable condition this afternoon (August 1). The facility will triage patients and allow public hospitals to focus on caring the more severe patients.
 
     The HA spokesman said, "Different departments and teams in the Head Office and clusters have joined hands in overcoming various challenges in the planning works for some weeks, including installations of medical equipment on site, infection control, work flow arrangements, etc. before the community treatment facility can eventually be commissioned smoothly."
 
     "The HA also thanked the Government, including the Food and Health Bureau and various Government departments, for their strong support, as well as AsiaWorld-Expo for availing the site and constructing the facilities, facilitating the rapid setup of the community treatment facility."
 
     The community treatment facility located in Hall 1 of AsiaWorld-Expo will have about 500 beds, mainly to admit relatively young patients with mild symptoms and able to live independently.
 
     "Upon patient arrival, healthcare staff of the community treatment facility will assess the patients' clinical condition and arrange patients to either stay in the facility for isolation treatment or to be transferred to hospitals for follow-up for the more severe patients."
 
     The HA hopes that the establishment of community treatment facilities can shorten the admission waiting time for newly confirmed patients. Together with the community isolation facility established earlier in Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village, it is expected that more isolation wards in public hospitals can be availed for the care of the more severe patients.
 
     The HA will continue to explore the feasibility of setting up other facilities in the community in preparation for a long term battle against the epidemic.