Patients turn to hospitals as Covid clinics close

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The Hospital Authority said it will set aside 2,000 consultation quotas for Covid patients from the total of 10,000 provided at general outpatient clinics as all designated Covid clinics and online consultation services will cease operation from Monday.

This came as authorities today lifted the mandatory isolation order for those infected, with Covid-hit citizens allowed to go to work as usual, while those who wish to rest at home will have to obtain a medical certificate.

On Sunday, the HA’s booking system showed that some consultation services for Covid patients at certain areas were fully booked.

Speaking on a radio program this morning, the authority's chief manager for primary and community services, Tony Ha King-hang, said the system has not released every quota as it has just begun operation.

He said there were still quotas available as of this morning and the Authority has reserved an extra 1,000 quotas to be mobilized at any time in case of any emergency

He believed the 2,000 quotas will be adequate as only some 1,000 people in Hong Kong use the service each day.

People can make appointments through the Book Covid (GOPC) function of the HA Go mobile app or call the Care Booking Line at seven clinics.

People can also call the HA enquiry hotline at 1836115 for assistance, with HA staff providing health advice for patients according to their conditions, and will refer patients who are in need of GOPCs for further treatment.

Meanwhile, Ha urged confirmed patients with mild symptoms or lower risk to consult private doctors who can prescribe Covid oral drugs, in order to alleviate the pressure on the A&E or GOPC services.
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