Give Hong Kong hope

Hong Kong’s first makeshift hospital, built in AsiaWorld-Expo with assistance from mainland experts

HONG KONG, China (China Daily) — The nation’s full support during Hong Kong’s grave pandemic situation and the local government’s decision to defer legislative elections have offered a ray of hope that the outbreak can be controlled, according to observers in a number of sectors.

Their remarks came as the city recorded triple-digit daily spikes in new cases for 12 consecutive days on Sunday. The total tally stood at 3,511 confirmed cases and 34 deaths.

Guangdong province has selected 60 virus testing technicians to support Hong Kong, and seven of them arrived in the city on Sunday. The province also pledged to offer more medical resources in view of Hong Kong’s demands.

Wuhan, Hubei province, the Chinese city hit hardest by COVID-19, gained wide experience in building temporary hospitals and will soon send six experts to help convert more parts of Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo into a makeshift hospital and to build a new temporary hospital in the city.

Hong Kong’s first makeshift hospital, built in AsiaWorld-Expo with assistance from mainland experts, began operating on Saturday as a triage center for patients. As of Sunday noon, 31 patients had been sent there.

The hospital now provides 500 beds and could accommodate a maximum of 2,000 patients in the future. According to officials, 31 lavatories, six mobile showers and two public lounges with sofa, tables and televisions are available in the hospital. An additional 18 showers will be installed, and patients can take showers in different time slots.

The city’s first so-called cabin hospital was established in seven days before it began to admit patients. Mainland experts supported its design, construction and management.