With the support of the Central Government, the community treatment facility (CTF) expansion at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) was successfully completed. A ceremony was conducted today (October 9) during which the facility was officially handed over to the Hospital Authority (HA).

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, expressed his gratitude to the Central Government, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government for implementing the project.  

     Mr Wong said that relevant construction works commenced on September 19 and were swiftly completed within three weeks, providing an addition of nearly 1 000 beds in Halls 8 to 11 of AWE, with some equipped with negative pressure facilities.  

     The Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, said that 900 beds of the CTF were installed at Halls 1 and 2 of AWE earlier. Coupled with the newly completed CTF in Halls 8 to 11, Hong Kong's ability to cope with another potential wave of the epidemic in the future will be greatly enhanced, reducing the pressure on public hospitals. 

     Before the ceremony, Mr Wong, together with the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi; Dr Ko; the Director of Architectural Services, Mrs Sylvia Lam; and representatives from the Shenzhen Municipal Government, inspected the newly completed CTF, including modular units of beds, negative pressure facilities, medical stations as well as the air-conditioning and air filtration system.    
 
     Mr Wong thanked the concerted efforts of the project team for collaborating with the Hong Kong SAR and Shenzhen Governments as well as the staff members of the HA to overcome different challenges at various stages of the project such that the works could be completed earlier under the tight schedule.  

     At the temporary hospital project adjacent to AWE, which is also supported by the Central Government, relevant construction works also commenced on September 19. The contractor is carrying out foundation works at the site. At the same time, fabrication of modular units in Mainland factories is also underway. The construction works are expected to be completed within four months. Upon completion, the temporary hospital will provide negative pressure wards that can accommodate over 800 beds and associated medical facilities. 

Ends/Friday, October 9, 2020
Issued at HKT 15:40

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