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

     The Government announced today (February 28) 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 in Kwai Tsing, Yuen Long, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, North and Tai Po Districts, the Home Affairs Department (including Kwai Tsing, Yuen Long, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, North and Tai Po 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 (March 1) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identifying infected persons –
 

  • Sewage Testing Area Kwai Chung Site 2 SL1E-05A/B/C/D – Shek Sau House of Shek Lei (I) Estate, Kwai Chung
  • Sewage Testing Area Yuen Long Site 1 TNHE-11A/B and TNHE-08A/B – Heng Chui House and Heng Chun House of Tin Heng Estate, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long
  • Sewage Testing Area Kwun Tong Site 2-7 SMPE-08A/B – Sau Fu House of Sau Mau Ping Estate, Kwun Tong
  • Sewage Testing Area Shatin Site 1A WCE-16 and WCE-17 – Man Wo House and Yan Wo House of Wo Che Estate, Sha Tin
  • Sewage Testing Area Shatin Site 9A (part) – Ming Chuen House and Ying Chuen House of Shui Chuen O Estate, Sha Tin
  • Sewage Testing Area Northern Site 4A (part) – Ka Fuk Estate, Fanling
  • Sewage Testing Area Kwai Chung Site 3A (part) – Lai King Estate
  • Sewage Testing Area Taipo Site 4A (part) – Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po
  • Sewage Testing Area Taipo Site 7A-1 (part) – Hong Chi Pinehill Village, Tai Po

     Members of the public may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the rapid test kits.
 
     When using a rapid test 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.
 
     If people living or working in the areas with positive sewage testing results are tested positive with the rapid test kits, they may also call 2280 4772, the Government’s 24-hour hotline for “persons tested positive with rapid antigen tests in areas with positive sewage testing results” for assistance. Should these persons begin to develop symptoms before results are available, they may consult their family doctors for advice according to their needs. When severe symptoms (e.g. prolonged fever at 38 degrees Celsius or above, or signs such as shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain) are developed, members of the public are urged to call the 999 hotline for arranging ambulance transfer to hospital as early as possible.