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Quarantine centres at AWE to convert to holding centres
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     In light of the rising demand for holding centres (HCs) due to the continuous increase in number of COVID-19 cases found recently in residential care homes (RCHs), the Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (December 22) that the quarantine centres at Halls 11, 9 and 6 at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) will be converted to HCs starting from December 24, 27 and 28 respectively to receive elderly persons and persons with disabilities with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms.

     The Hospital Authority will collaborate with private medical vendors to provide medical support for the three HCs. The number of beds and care teams of the three HCs are set out in the table below:
HCs at AWE Number of beds Care team
Hall 11 270 Richgreat International Development Limited
Hall 9 270 Richgreat International Development Limited
Hall 6 270 Kato (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited

     The SWD expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Richgreat International Development Limited and Kato (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited for their co-operation with service adjustments in AWE.

     In addition, the Government has aligned the discharge arrangement for HCs with that of community members being issued with isolation orders. All persons will be considered fit for being discharged if they have obtained negative results from rapid antigen tests on both the fourth and the fifth day (or any two consecutive days afterwards) of their isolation period. Nucleic acid tests will no longer be required.

     Separately, RCH residents identified as close contacts are no longer required to be transferred to quarantine centres for quarantine. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health has developed a set of guidelines on infection control that RCH staff should note when taking care of residents identified as close contacts.

     The SWD will continue to monitor the epidemic situation closely and liaise with relevant bureaux and departments to swiftly mobilise resources and venues to accommodate the anti-epidemic needs of the RCHs in order to safeguard the health of residents.
 
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:10
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