The Government announced today (March 11) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department in collaboration with the cross-disciplinary team of the University of Hong Kong had strengthened the sampling of sewage for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in many areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
Rapid test
As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the respective District Offices will distribute over 110 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to a total of about 110 000 residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas starting from tomorrow (March 12) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
- Kwun Tong District – Yau Tong Estate and Yau Lai Estate
- Tsuen Wan District – Park Island
- Yuen Long District – Tin Shui (I) Estate, Tin Shui (II) Estate and Tin Oi Court
- Tai Po District – Chung Nga Court
- North District – Flora Plaza, King Shing Court and Yan Shing Court
- Yau Tsim Mong District – Shining Heights, Fu On Mansion and Boundary Building
Members of the public may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 1836 119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure. Moreover, if people living or working in the above areas test positive with the RAT kits, they may call 2280 4772, the Government's 24-hour hotline for "persons tested positive with rapid antigen tests in areas with positive sewage testing results" to arrange door-to-door delivery of RAT kits and/or a nasal swab self-sampling kit free of charge. If people wish to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, they may collect a nasal swab specimen and arrange door-to-door collection of the specimen for PCR testing. When severe symptoms (e.g. prolonged fever at 38 degrees Celsius or above, or signs such as shortness of breath, palpitations and chest pain) develop, members of the public are urged to call the 999 hotline for arranging an ambulance transfer to a hospital as early as possible.
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