The general view photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. (SHAMIM ASHRAF / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Hospital Authority of Hong Kong on Friday activated service demand surge special measures to cope with an increasing need for the city’s public hospital services due to cold weather and long holiday season.

The weather has been cold in recent days, with increased activity in influenza and some respiratory pathogens, such as COVID-19, observed, said a spokesperson for the HA.

The HA anticipates that the service demand in public hospitals will continue to rise in the coming weeks.

Public hospitals have implemented a series of measures, including increasing manpower, opening temporary beds and mobilizing hospital beds flexibly, to meet the demand for accident and emergency departments and inpatient services to enhance laboratory services for influenza and COVID-19 tests, said the spokesperson

Public hospitals have implemented a series of measures, including increasing manpower, opening temporary beds and mobilizing hospital beds flexibly, to meet the demand for accident and emergency departments and inpatient services to enhance laboratory services for influenza and COVID-19 tests, said the spokesperson.

“The HA will also facilitate patient admissions, transfers and discharges to provide timely and appropriate treatment for patients and vacate hospital beds to admit patients as far as practicable.”

Ward rounds of senior clinicians will be increased in the evenings, weekends and holidays, added the spokesperson.

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Total 18 general out-patient clinics will enhance their services during the holiday in order to cope with a surge of service needs and alleviate the pressure on A&E departments, the spokesperson said.

The residents may book an appointment either through the telephone system or the "Book GOPC" function of the "HA Go" mobile app.

The spokesperson meanwhile urged non-urgent patients to avoid attending A&E departments and go to GOPCs, private doctors or the 24-hour clinics of private hospitals as far as practicable.

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Residents, especially those from high-risk groups, have been urged to get vaccinated early for seasonal influenza and COVID-19 to reduce the chance of getting infected and lower the rates of critical cases and deaths.