Hospital Authority activates service demand surge measures as Covid and flu cases climb

The Hospital Authority on Friday announced that it has activated service demand surge special measures to cope with the increasing service demand due to increased activity in influenza and respiratory viruses.

It also called on members of the public to get vaccinated in view of the increased activity in influenza and the coronavirus.

During the Christmas holiday period, the Hospital Authority will open four additional general outpatient clinics, providing approximately 10,000 to 12,000 extra slots, with the aim of reducing daily emergency room visits by 300 to 500 cases. They will also enhance government-funded Chinese medicine outpatient services.

Meanwhile, the Accident and Emergency Departments and medical wards will review staff arrangements in advance for the long holiday period, intending to increase manpower by up to 20 percent on busy days.

Public hospitals will also reduce non-emergency admissions during the holiday period and will open emergency surgery sessions as needed, it added.