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.