The local COVID-19 epidemic situation is worsening rapidly. The confirmed cases are distributed all over the territory. Some of the confirmed cases are asymptomatic and this indicates the existence of many silent transmission chains in the community. Through mobile specimen collection stations set up earlier in Tsuen Wan, Sai Kung, Tai Po and Kowloon City, the Government has been providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for members of the public.
Starting from tomorrow (December 4), the Government will arrange for the testing agency (Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited) to set up a mobile specimen collection station at Wong Tai Sin Square. Operating hours will be daily from 10am to 8pm. Tentatively, the mobile specimen collection station will operate until December 10 (Thursday).
The Government will decide whether it is necessary to extend the operation period of the mobile specimen collection station after reviewing the usage of the station and public’s demand for the testing service.
Four other mobile specimen collection stations in Tsuen Wan (Sha Tsui Road Playground), Sai Kung (Carpark of the Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, 8 Chan Man Street) and Tai Po (Basketball Court, Tai Po Community Centre, No. 2 Heung Sze Wui Street; and Open area outside Tai Wo Neighbourhood Community Centre, Tai Wo Estate) will continue to operate until further notice, while the mobile specimen collection station in Kowloon City (Kai Tak Community Hall) will operate until tomorrow (December 4).
A government spokesman said, "The testing agency will provide specimen collection services by combined nasal and throat swabs at the mobile specimen collection station for testing free of charge."
Persons who are subject to compulsory testing and undergo testing at the mobile specimen collection stations will be deemed to have undergone a test at a community testing centre. People whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS through their mobile phones. If any specimen tested shows a positive COVID-19 result, the specimen will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health (DH) for a confirmatory test. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.
The spokesman urged all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with exposure to infection risk (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases) to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.
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