Introduction
The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected
millions of people worldwide and paralyzed the health care systems in
different major countries since its onset. COVID-19 originated in Wuhan,
China in December 2019(1-3), the largest and most populous city in
central China, and a major regional transportation hub. The Hong Kong
SAR, being the most densely populated city in southern China and a major
transport hub connecting China to the rest of the world, faced the first
confirmed coronavirus case on 23rd January 2020 imported from Mainland
China. The initial confirmed cases were all imported from Mainland
China, followed later by evidence of community spread with local
transmission on the 2nd February 2020. The number of cases in Hong Kong
rapidly increased in March 2020, with a large proportion of cases being
imported from Western Countries, and as of April 14, there were 1013
confirmed cases(4). During this pandemic, in anticipation of rapid
growth in confirmed cases yet limited resources in the public health
care system, there was a tremendous pressure on reducing hospital
admissions and clinic attendances since early February 2020. Here we
outline the changes in resource allocations and its effect on our
clinical and operating service provision.