Timeline of countermeasures against COVID-19 (1)

■ Epidemic Development

■ HA’s Countermeasures

2019.12

12.31

China informed The World Health Organization (WHO) of the cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

12.31

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received the relevant notification from the Mainland; the Hospital Authority (HA) was very concerned about the cases and alerted frontline healthcare staff to stay vigilant.

2020.1

1.4

The Hong Kong Government launched the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance and raised the response level from ‘Alert’ to ‘Serious’.

1.4

In parallel, the ‘Serious Response Level’ was activated in public hospitals.

1.12

China published the genome sequence of the COVID-19 virus.

1.23

Hong Kong confirmed the first imported case of infection.

1.23

HA published the COVID-19 Bulletin to keep staff informed of the latest situation of the epidemic and relevant internal policies.

1.25

The Government further raised the response level to ‘Emergency’.

1.25

In parallel, ‘Emergency Response Level’ was activated in public hospitals.

1.29

HA set up a 24-hour hotline to answer staff enquiry.

1.30

The WHO declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

1.31

HA arranged COVID-19 viral tests for all pneumonia inpatients aiming for early identification and isolation of ‘invisible patients’.

2020.2

2.1

HA started to offer Special Rental Allowance to staff in need.

HA partnered with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to design and produce face shields early this month.

HA partnered with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to design and produce face shields early this month.

2.4

The first death from COVID-19 was recorded in Hong Kong.

2.5

Healthcare staff could access patients’ travel records via Clinical Management System.

2.10

HA adjusted public hospital non-emergency services and non-essential services to focus manpower and resources in light of the challenge of the epidemic.

In mid-February, HA Oasis set up a new website of self-help psychological information and services, and provides psychological support kits for colleagues who are under quarantine. The Human Resources Division also provides personal care products, entertainment items, daily necessities and snacks for colleagues under quarantine.

2.11

WHO officially named the disease as Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19); and called upon the international community to consider it as the ‘public enemy number one’.

2.14

The Government announced the additional allocation of $4.7 billion to support HA in implementing anti-epidemic measures.

2.19

HA extended the surveillance to out‑patients by testing on deep throat saliva specimen of out-patients aged 18 years old or above attending Accident and Emergency Department (AED) or General Out-patient Clinic (GOPC) with fever and respiratory symptoms or mild chest infection, aiming at preventing community spread.

2.20-22

Medical team of HA joined the team of Government officials to bring back 193 Hong Kong residents on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The arrivals concerned were then sent to Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan for 14 days of quarantine.

2.24

HA has approved Special Emergency Response Allowance for staff in recognition of their effort for working in high risk areas.

2.26

HA updated the internal designated webpage for COVID-19 with more information and functions.

2.28

HA further extended the surveillance to cover out‑patients below 18 years old attending AED or GOPC.