(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Hospital Authority will set up a new hotline to answer questions from people who test preliminary positive for COVID-19 and are waiting to be admitted to hospitals or isolation facilities.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the authority’s Chief Manager (Patient Safety & Risk Management) Dr Sara Ho explained that the new hotline aims to enhance the support to COVID-19 patients.

“I understand quite a number of people (who are) preliminarily confirmed (with COVID-19) are still staying in the community, so that is why we (are) trying to enhance our support.

“Previously, we had the Patient Support Call Centre (whereby) the staff would call those confirmed cases and preliminary confirmed cases and then provide infection control and clinical advice support.

“In view of the increasing need, we are going to set up a hotline where the patients can call directly through the hotline our staff to enquire about infection control or some clinical questions related to COVID-19.”

Dr Ho said the new hotline is specifically for preliminary positive COVID-19 patients and more details will be announced later. 

She added that the authority is doing its best to cope with the increasing number of COVID-19 patients.

“We are also exploring to set up designated clinics so those patients with symptoms can attend the designated clinics.”