Having reviewed the usage and public demand for the COVID-19 testing service, the Government has decided to extend the service period of the mobile specimen collection station at Kwai Chung Sports Ground to May 31 (Monday), and that of the stations at King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon; MacPherson Playground in Mong Kok and Arthur Street Temporary Playground in Yau Ma Tei to June 13 (Sunday).
Moreover, the Government will set up mobile specimen collection stations outside 37-39 Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po and Island Harbourview in Tai Kok Tsui tomorrow (May 30) to provide free testing service for residents and workers of 37-39 Fuk Wing Street and Island Harbourview subject to compulsory testing respectively. A Government spokesman also reminded foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) who have yet to receive testing that they need to complete testing by tomorrow. For FDHs who have yet to receive testing, they can still make use of the service provided at community testing centres (CTCs) and mobile specimen collection stations tomorrow.
Currently, there are a total of 21 CTCs providing testing service for the public, including free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system was enhanced to show the booking status of the CTCs for the coming half-month period to facilitate public's planning and selection of suitable testing centre and time slot for testing. The CTCs will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. The number of tests available for appointments at CTCs has been increased to over 46 000 per day, and additional manpower has been deployed to serve the public. As of 6pm today (May 29), there are around 31 000 booking places available for tomorrow at the CTCs, and around 84 per cent and 90 per cent booking places for the coming seven days and 14 days respectively. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
Coupled with the 21 CTCs, there will be a total of 51 CTCs/mobile specimen collection stations in various districts tomorrow to provide free service for persons subject to compulsory testing, including FDHs. The testing capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in Annex. Persons subject to compulsory testing, and those with "LeaveHomeSafe" COVID-19 exposure notification or SMS notification from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible may receive free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable).
From May 15 to 28, over 276 000 FDHs have submitted specimens at CTCs and mobile specimen collection stations or returned their deep throat saliva specimens, and more than 10 000 bookings at CTCs have been made for FDHs this weekend. The Government reminds FDHs who have made bookings to visit their selected centre at the booked time slot for testing, and employers may assist those who have yet to receive testing to book online and utilise the remaining quotas.
People whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS message through their mobile phones. Persons subject to compulsory testing must properly keep the relevant records. If any specimen tested shows a preliminarily positive COVID-19 result, the specimen will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health for a confirmatory test. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the CHP.
The Government reminds the public that they can undergo COVID-19 testing through various means. For details, please refer to the following webpage: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html. If a person has symptoms, he or she should seek medical attention immediately and should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations orCTCs.
The spokesman urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (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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