Government follows up on positive results of sewage surveillance and appeals to residents to undergo virus testing

     The Government announced today (February 11) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) 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 in Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Yuen Long and North Districts, the Home Affairs Department (including Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Yuen Long and North District Offices) will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to residents and all cleansing workers and property management staff working in the following areas (see Annex) starting from tomorrow (February 12) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identifying infected persons –
 

• Sewage Testing Area Sha Tin Shui Chuen O Estate 10 (SCOE-10) – Mau Chuen House of Shui Chuen O Estate
• Sewage Testing Area Sham Shui Po Un Chau Estate 10, 11 and 12 (YCE-10, 11 and 12) – Un Tai House, Un Wo House and Un Fung House of Un Chau Estate
• Sewage Testing Area Kwun Tong 2-2 (KT Site 2-2) – Sau Mau Ping Disciplined Services Quarters Block 1 and Block 2
• Sewage Testing Area Yuen Long 6A-3 (YL Site 6A-3) – Residential premises around Wang Fung Building, Yuen San Building and Po On Building
• Sewage Testing Area Northern Cheung Lung Wai Estate 01 and 02 (Northern Site CLWE-01 and 02) – Cheung Lung Wai Estate in Sheung Shui 

     Residents may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the rapid test kits.
 
     When positive result (including vaguely positive with a faint band showing on the test kit) is obtained, one should immediately seek medical attention for follow up management. Residents tested positive should stay home as far as possible to avoid spreading the virus in the community. The Government stresses that rapid test kit testing is not a substitute for the compulsory testing requirement. Individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, who have visited places with epidemic outbreaks or have had contact with persons tested positive, etc, should undergo testing promptly at testing centres.
 
     In addition, the EPD has uploaded the boundary of places with compulsory testing notice issued due to the sewage samples tested positive and related information to the dashboard of the thematic website "Together, We Fight the Virus", to facilitate the reference from the public, via https://chp-dashboard.geodata.gov.hk/covid-19/en.html.