Hong Kong, 26 February 2021 — The Hospital Authority (HA) has completed the preparation work for the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre (HKICC). The project is sponsored by the Central Government and various departments and teams of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to complete the construction of the HKICC in only four months.
“The HKICC will first open a ward with 48 isolation beds tomorrow to admit COVID-19 confirmed patients, aged between 16 and 65, with mild or moderate clinical conditions. Keeping in view the developments of the epidemic, the HKICC could progressively take over the patients staying in the community treatment facility for more efficient deployment of manpower and resources,” a spokesperson for the HA said
There are six two-storey ward buildings with a total of 816 isolation beds at the HKICC. All wards are equipped with hospital-grade isolation facilities. Unlike the community treatment facility in an exhibition hall, the HKICC is able to provide intravenous medication and oxygen therapy, which can help alleviate the pressure for isolation beds in public hospitals. In addition, the six independent blocks of ward buildings can be activated in phases according to the evolving epidemic situation, allowing more flexibility in manpower deployment and operation arrangements.
“Apart from routine tests for clinical management, the laboratory at the medical centre is equipped with state-of-the-art and fully automated laboratory equipment to handle a maximum of 1,500 specimens per day and augment the overall laboratory capacity of public hospitals by about 15 per cent. The overall testing capability of the Hong Kong healthcare system will be further enhanced,” the spokesperson added. — Construction+ Online
