Hong Kong's Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee speaks to the media after visiting a COVID-19 vaccination centre in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong on Feb 26, 2021. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee met Jiao Yahui, director of the National Health Commission’s Bureau of Medical Administration, via video conferencing to exchange views on the treatment of COVID-19 on Friday.

Officials and experts of the commission, together with the visiting mainland COVID-19 medical expert delegation and Hong Kong experts, took part in the meeting.

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Noting that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has announced a set of actions to control the epidemic, Chan said the treatment of COVID-19 patients is an important part of the action plan.

“With the central government's experience and guidance in fighting the epidemic, along with its support in manpower and resources, our treatment capability will be enhanced so as to reduce severe cases and deaths,” Chan said.

She pointed out that over the past few days, the mainland COVID-19 medical expert delegation has gained a deeper understanding of the situation concerning the treatment of COVID-19 patients in Hong Kong.

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“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will follow up on the recommendations and advice offered by the experts, with a view to further improving the treatment,” she added.

Noting that all 300 beds of Tin Shui Wai Hospital will be reserved for receiving COVID-19 patients from Saturday, the health chief said the contingency measure can help concentrate manpower and resources to cope with the epidemic situation.