Kai Tak Holding Centre comes into initial operation (with photo)

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced that the Kai Tak Holding Centre at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has come into initial operation today (March 21).

     To help public hospitals prioritise their manpower to handle those patients with more acute clinical needs, the centre will, upon referral by the Hospital Authority (HA), receive either elderly patients who have contracted COVID-19 but are showing mild symptoms, or recovering frail elderly patients who are assessed by the HA as suitable for admission to the centre.

     With around 1 200 beds, the centre, which will come into service in stages, provides basic meals and nursing support without charge. The commencement of the initial stage today has brought around 400 beds into service, with care services provided by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and medical support from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. The SWD expresses heartfelt gratitude to them for forming teams at short notice to provide services for the centre.

     The remaining some 800 beds at the Kai Tak Holding Centre are expected to commence operation in end-March. The SWD earlier set up three holding centres at Choi Wing Road Sports Centre, Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre and Harbour Road Sports Centre. The department is planning to set up more holding centres at other suitable venues to provide proper care for frail elderly patients.