Expect to wait for days to be hospitalised: HA

Newly-infected Covid-19 patients will have to wait for days to be taken to hospital as a large number of new cases swamp medical and isolation facilities, the Hospital Authority warned on Wednesday.

A chief manager of the authority, Larry Lee, said close to 2,000 patients are being treated at more than a dozen public hospitals across the city and the community treatment centre at AsiaWorld-Expo on Lantau.

He urged people confirmed with the coronavirus to wait patiently at home, as authorities arrange for them to be treated.

“We have to consider various factors such as their age, whether they have any chronic illnesses, whether they can take care of themselves before we arrange them to be taken to hospital or community treatment facilities. Some patients may have to wait for a few days before they are hospitalised,” he said.

Lee noted that most patients are in stable condition with no or mild symptoms, adding that medical staff would call them and provide necessary assistance.

He also pointed out that the authority would relax the discharge criteria for Covid patients in order to free up hospital beds more quickly for new patients.

Hong Kong reported a record 1,161 Covid infections on Wednesday, putting tremendous pressure on the city’s public healthcare system.