Lee: Central govt's help lifts HK's confidence in fighting COVID

Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu said Hong Kong is at "war" with COVID-19 and the central government's all-round support has bolstered the city's confidence in fighting this uphill battle.

In an interview with China Daily, the city's No 2 official expressed gratitude to the central government's five-pronged campaign to contain the outbreak -- sending three teams of top epidemiology and critical care experts to the SAR; boosting the city's testing capacity; building isolation and treatment facilities; offering medical supplies; and ensuring adequate supplies of food and necessities.

"The nation's staunch support embodies the selfless efforts of professionals, represents the kindness of its people in helping one another, and symbolizes the country's strength in calling for unified action," Lee said.

He said the rapid spread of the Omicron variant during the fifth wave of infections has outstripped Hong Kong's existing capacity in testing, isolation and treatment and resulted in serious bottlenecks.

After Hong Kong's request for help was sent, the central government responded by promptly deploying and mobilizing resources from provinces and cities across the country to help the SAR contain the outbreak.

"This demonstrates our strong national power and the strength of 'one country, two systems'. It also symbolizes that the nation always cares about Hong Kong and back it up," said Lee.

The second Chinese mainland-built isolation and treatment facility in Hong Kong — a mobile-cabin hospital at San Tin in Yuen Long that provides 2,800 beds -- will be completed in the coming week as the city battles its fifth and most serious wave of COVID-19 infections.

On Sunday, about 2,000 employees of China State Construction Engineering Corporation arrived at Hong Kong's Lok Ma Chau Loop to start building an emergency hospital there.

A bridge above the Shenzhen River linking Shenzhen and Hong Kong has been built to facilitate the logistics operations of the hospital — one of nine such facilities built by the mainland to help the city combat the current wave of the pandemic.

The hospital will provide 1,000 beds, as well as an isolation and treatment center with 10,000 beds.

"I have strong faith in the use of this emergency hospital that will provide 1,000 additional beds to alleviate the heavy burden on our public health system," Lee said.

The bridge will be dismantled after the entire project is completed.

"The HKSAR Government will make good use of the nation's support and mobilize the community's efforts to win the battle against the virus and stabilize the epidemic as soon as possible, so as to ensure the safety and health of citizens and the overall stability of Hong Kong," Lee vowed.

The central government is also helping with the planned Compulsory Universal Testing Scheme due to start later this month. Many people are worried about the restrictions to be introduced during the scheme to minimize the flow of people.

Lee assured that the universal testing program will be designed in accordance with Hong Kong's actual situation, and the government will announce the details as soon as possible to allow time for residents to understand it and get prepared.

Noting the anxiety of the public over possible insufficient supplies of food during the scheme, Lee said: "We'll ensure there will be sufficient and steady supplies of food and necessities. Therefore, there's no need to overreact."

Noting the huge pool of donations of funds and materials, as well as the voluntary services of the community in fighting the pandemic, Lee said the SAR government has been mobilizing members of the city's entire civil service in the battle.

To relieve the burden on local frontline medical workers, the Hospital Authority has hastened hiring retired and part-time medical helpers to cope with the shortage of medical manpower.

Lee also urged the private hospitals to lend a helping hand to lighten the already-strained public medical system.

"We must be united to win this 'war'," he declared.