HK gets boost in fighting outbreak as central gov't offers needed beds

Special: Battle Against Novel Coronavirus

The Central Government-Aided Emergency Hospital and isolation facility in Lok Ma Chau Loop was completed recently and a handover ceremony was held on Friday.

Built by China Construction Science and Industry Corp Ltd, the project was completed in 51 days. It will provide 1,000 beds in negative pressure wards, three operating theaters and over 10,000 isolation beds in total.

The first phase of the hospital was handed over to Hong Kong on April 7, offering 500 beds in negative pressure wards－including 32 intensive care unit beds, and two operating theaters.

Michael Wong Wai-lun, secretary for development of the Hong Kong SAR government, thanked the central government for its full backing of Hong Kong. The isolation and treatment facilities aided by the central government will significantly enhance Hong Kong's ability in the anti-pandemic fight.

With continuous efforts from all sides, we are confident that Hong Kong can get out of the pandemic and return to normal soon, he said.

Wang Hong, chairman of China Construction Science and Industry Corp Ltd, said the successful delivery is a good example of Shenzhen-Hong Kong collaboration and solidarity in fighting the pandemic.

As one of the more than 20,000 construction workers in the project, Yang Guang, who is responsible for lifting operations, also took part in the delivery ceremony on Friday.

"By participating in the construction, I deeply feel that our hard work in ordinary posts is the biggest support we can give to our country and compatriots," he said.

Hong Kong reported 324 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 144 cases by nucleic acid tests and 180 through self-reported rapid antigen tests.