The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (February 15) that it will commence operating a telephone hotline today and activate seven designated clinics tomorrow (February 16) to cope with the rapid and huge increase in the number of confirmed patients, which has overwhelmed the capacity of isolation facilities of public hospitals and the community treatment and isolation facilities.
 
     "The hotline 1836 115 will operate daily from 8am to 10pm seven days a week beginning today to answer enquiries on medical information and provide infection control advice for people pending admission to isolation facilities upon confirmed infection," an HA spokesman said.
 
     "In addition, seven designated clinics for confirmed cases of COVID-19 (see Annex) will also be activated from tomorrow to help provide diagnosis and treatment for the people with mild symptoms of infection, such as fever, cough or sore throat, after being notified by the Department of Health on their positive results and while awaiting hospital admission."
 
     The spokesman pointed out that in order to implement appropriate infection control arrangements, people seeking consultation must make appointments by telephone to avoid people queuing at the clinics. The healthcare staff of the designated clinics will provide appropriate treatment according to the patient's clinical condition, and will transfer the patient to hospital for further treatment if required.
 
     "The designated clinics will be open from Monday to Sunday, including public holidays, from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm. Eligible patients should call the selected designated clinic to make an appointment, and will be provided the earliest appointment time slot in the next 24 hours," he said.
 
     Designated clinics are equipped with the necessary software and hardware, including ventilation equipment, patient segregation setup and triage arrangements, patient consultation protocols, infection control measures and other equipment to protect patients, staff and the neighbouring community. The clinics will also provide appropriate training for staff members.
 
     Normal general out-patient services at the designated clinics will be suspended for the time being. Episodic patients with appointments made at the seven clinics via telephone booking or the mobile application "HA GO" are advised to seek consultation at other general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) or at private clinics. Chronic patients with follow-up appointments at the clinics are advised to refill their drugs at the Medication Refill Clinics (see Annex) on the appointment day by presenting their appointment slips and identity cards.
 
     Vaccination services (including those for COVID-19, seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination) at the seven clinics will also be suspended. Eligible citizens who intended to receive vaccinations are advised to go to other selected GOPCs or service points for the vaccinations. The Government will send text messages to citizens who have made appointments for COVID-19 vaccination at the seven designated clinics and advise them to go to other community vaccination centres for vaccination services.
 
     The distribution of deep throat saliva specimen collection packs and the collection service for specimens at the seven designated clinics will also be suspended. Citizens are advised to go to other selected GOPCs or service points designated by the Government for obtaining the specimen collection packs and submitting the specimens. Details on the specimen collection packs distribution points and specimen collection points are available at the following website: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html.
 
     In addition, in order to focus manpower and resources to support the services of the seven designated clinics, Kam Tin Clinic in Yuen Long will also temporarily suspend services from February 16. The clinic will contact chronic patients with follow-up appointments to make alternative arrangements.
 
     The HA will closely monitor the service needs and operation of the telephone hotline and the designated clinics to dovetail with the latest developments of the epidemic. The HA once again thanks the public for their patience and being accommodating in complying with the arrangements so that the isolation facilities in public hospitals can accord priority to the elderly and the young and patients with special medical needs. With the gradual increase in community treatment and isolation facilities, the remaining confirmed patients will be admitted in an orderly manner.

Ends/Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:20

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