Hospital Authority Chief Administrative Manager (Quality and Standards) Liu Jiaxian said that about 40 additional patients were initially screened or tested positive at the hospital, and about 60 patients in the same room were listed as close contacts. He also said that the HA recently discussed the use of private hospitals to receive and assist in the care of some convalescent and rehabilitation patients. The industry has responded positively and it is expected that relevant measures will be implemented within two to three days. In addition, the “public-private partnership project” will accept daytime service patients. For example, radiological diagnosis and kidney dialysis patients are transferred to private hospitals for continued treatment.
Liu Jiaxian added that from February 9 to 18, a total of 829 public hospital staff were infected.