The government announced earlier that the first phase of the Penny's Bay Quarantine Center will be converted into a community isolation facility as soon as next week, which will be responsible for isolating asymptomatic or mildly ill COVID-19 patients in order to stop the spread of the virus in the community.
Liu Jiaxian, Chief Administrative Manager (Quality and Standards) of the Hospital Authority, said that there are about 3,000 isolation beds in public hospitals for receiving patients. Currently, 1,500 beds are in use, but about 300 new patients have been added every day recently. When it is full, when the utilization rate reaches 70% to 80%, Penny's Bay will be used to convert it into an isolation hospital bed, and patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms will be arranged for treatment.
Director of Health Lam Man-kin said that the cumulative number of cases has continued to rise. So far, there have been more than 320 cases of unknown origin. Since it is impossible to grasp how many generations of transmission are involved in the cases, there are hundreds of invisible transmission chains in the community.
He pointed out that it is impossible to predict exactly when the epidemic will reach its peak, but it is certainly not at its peak now.
The outbreak of the Omicron epidemic and the sharp rise in confirmed cases made the hospital run out of isolation beds.
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There is no X-ray machine at Penny's Bay, and blood may not be drawn every day
Liu Jiaxian, Chief Administrative Manager (Quality and Standards) of the Hospital Authority, said that the first phase of the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre will be converted into an isolation facility first, providing 3,500 beds. For blood draws, medical staff will be stationed at that time, and patients who have no symptoms, mild symptoms, young people, no chronic diseases, and who have received injections will be accepted.
He pointed out that he noticed that the patients in the fifth wave of the epidemic, the above categories of patients are in stable condition and have little chance of getting worse. Simple medicines such as antipyretics and cough syrup will be distributed during treatment. Once the condition changes, they will be transferred to the hospital.
He pointed out that the places where isolation and treatment are arranged depending on the patient's condition are divided from severe to mild, and the order is public hospital, North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Center (ie temporary hospital), Yabo Community Treatment Facility, Penny's Bay Quarantine center.
Director of Health Lam Man Kin said that due to the increase in the number of confirmed cases, the government has recently announced that if the epidemic situation makes public hospital beds insufficient, the first and second phases of the Penny's Bay Quarantine Center will be gradually vacated as hospital beds. The Bureau has arranged for some suitable patients to use it, and preparations are in full swing, including how to transfer close contacts to home quarantine, etc., which is described as "waiting to go".
Lin Wenjian continued to point out that the cumulative number of cases has continued to rise. So far, there have been more than 320 cases of unknown origin. Since the cases involved multiple generations of transmission, there are many invisible transmission chains.
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Recurrence of super spread before the peak of the epidemic will increase the number of cases geometrically
Lin Wenjian continued to point out that the cumulative number of infected cases continues to rise. So far, there are more than 320 cases with unknown origins. Since it is impossible to grasp how many generations of transmission are involved in the cases, there are many invisible transmission chains.
He pointed out that the peak period of the epidemic cannot be accurately estimated, but it is definitely not the peak period, and it is expected that the number of confirmed cases will rise again.
As for when the number of cases will increase exponentially, he said, based on past experience, once the cases suddenly and sharply increase, it reflects the occurrence of super-spreading, such as the Silka Seaview Hotel group, "at least one spread to more than 760 people", when the relevant situation occurs in the community, There will be a geometric progression of cases.
He said that it is unknown when the super spread will occur, but preparations must be made in two aspects, including relying on citizens to do epidemic prevention, and secondly, strengthening testing capabilities and protecting the medical system.
▼On February 6, there was a long queue at the testing center in Yenlang District▼
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