HONG KONG - Hong Kong is set to open on Feb 26 a temporary local hospital, built with the help of the central government, to treat COVID-19 patients, according to a media release issued on Tuesday.

Located next to the AsiaWorld-Expo, the hospital – North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Center – consists of six ward buildings, a medical center, and supporting facilities. 

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The ward buildings, which house a total of 816 isolation beds, are independent and can be activated in phases according to the pandemic situation. In the initial phase, 48 beds will be made available starting from Feb 26.

The laboratory at the medical center, which can handle about 1,500 specimens daily, will begin operations on Feb 17. It is expected to enhance the overall testing capacity of the city's public hospitals by 10-15 percent. (PHOTOS BY RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)