48m rapid test kits arrive
The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau today said the task force of ensuring medical supplies has so far procured more than 48 million rapid antigen test kits from the Mainland.
The bureau noted that various kinds of medical supplies are arriving in Hong Kong in batches, with the task force working closely with its Mainland counterparts.
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau today visited the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals to view the logistics arrangements for Mainland supplies delivered to Hong Kong.
More than 25% of the 48 million RAT kits procured have been distributed to the Department of Health (DH) and other government departments continuously.
The kits have also been distributed to frontline anti-epidemic personnel, COVID-19 patients, people undergoing home quarantine as well as specified high-risk groups.
More than 800,000 pulse oximeters have also been distributed to the Hospital Authority for patient use.
Additionally, the task force has received over 82 million N95, KN95 masks and surgical masks, as well as over eight million items of other protective equipment including protective coveralls, protective gowns, goggles, face shields, shoe covers, as well as surgical and examination gloves.
These will be distributed to DH and disciplined services frontline staff.
The task force also received 450,000 boxes of anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines. Among them, 170,000 boxes have been given to Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link and local organisations to dispense to the community.
Meanwhile, in collaboration with the task force of supplies from the Mainland led by the Transport & Housing Bureau, the overall capacity of water and land transport as well as railway for goods delivery has been enhanced at a number of cross-boundary facilities.
The Government Logistics Department has also set up a number of large-scale temporary storage areas, around 140,000 sq m, which has significantly increased Hong Kong's storage capacity and logistical efficiency.