Holding centre for elderly patients up and running

A chief social work officer, May Fung, on Tuesday said she hopes a temporary holding centre for elderly patients in Kwun Tong can help free up hospital beds for people in greater need.

The site was set up at the Choi Wing Road Sports Centre on Sunday after many people were left waiting outside hospitals which have been inundated with Covid patients.

About 60 of the 100 beds at the centre were occupied by Tuesday.

Fung, from the Social Welfare Department, said the elderly people being looked after there have either received preliminary medical treatment as they wait to go into hospital, or are in recovery.

According to a government press release issued on Sunday, the centre provides basic meals and nursing support.

A team of medical personnel from the Hospital Authority and a care team from Po Leung Kuk are on the ground to provide care services.