Cao Sai, a project manager of the Southern China District of the Shenzhen Overseas Decoration Company, checks the windows of the isolation rooms at the Central Government-aided Emergency Hospital being built at Lok Ma Chau Loop on March 26, 2022. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
For nearly a month, Cao Sai, who heads the decorations project of the Central Government-aided Emergency Hospital being built at Lok Ma Chau Loop, had to stay up until 2 am and get up at 6 am almost every day.
Despite the wind and rain, he always held his position, led the whole team, and saw the huge emergency hospital spring up from nothing during the past weeks.
On Thursday, the 28,400-square-meter first phase of the facility, which was completed within 30 days with support from the central government, was handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and began operation
On Thursday, the 28,400-square-meter first phase of the facility, which was completed within 30 days with support from the central government, was handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and began operation.
Since arriving Hong Kong on March 15 and starting work the following day, Cao, who is also project manager of Southern China District at Shenzhen Overseas Decoration Co Ltd, led his team day and night in the construction of the emergency hospital.
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Earlier in February, when Cao learned that Hong Kong urgently needed help from the mainland, he came forward to join the battle against the coronavirus and drive overnight to Shenzhen from his hometown in Central China’s Hunan province.
During the past two years, Cao twice led teams in the construction of isolation hospitals and isolation wards as the coronavirus hit the mainland. The Hong Kong project marks the third time he has volunteered to stand on the front line of such a project. “Hong Kong compatriots are our family members. We shall lend a hand no matter how far we are,” he told China Daily.
More difficult than the two isolation facility projects Cao was involved with on the mainland, the Lok Ma Chau Loop project has had to be conducted under adverse weather and traffic conditions.
Cao Sai, a project manager of the Southern China District of the Shenzhen Overseas Decoration Company, leads his team at the construction site of the Central Government-aided Emergency Hospital at Lok Ma Chau Loop on March 26, 2022. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Without enough equipment and supplies such as beds and tents in the early days, the entire construction team had to camp overnight in the open air. No matter how extreme the conditions were, Cao encouraged his young co-workers to face the difficulties without fear. “I told them it is a battle in peacetime — a battle against the virus,” he said.
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When a heavy rainstorm hit Lok Ma Chau Loop from March 20-25, Cao, taking charge of the team, transported the construction materials with their shoulders and hands in the storms.
“We need to march forward regardless of wind and rain so that our fellows can have a warm spring,” he said.
The emergency hospital is expected to provide 1,000 beds. The project will also have community isolation and treatment facilities with about 10,000 isolation beds. The whole project is expected to cater to over 11,000 COVID-19 patients when it is completed.
aoyulu@chinadailyhk.com