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

     The Government announced today (March 9) 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 120 000 sets of COVID-19 rapid test kits (RAT) to a total of about 120 000 residents, cleansing workers and property management staff working in the following areas starting from tomorrow (March 10) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• North District – Choi Yuen Estate and Wah Ming Estate
• Kwai Tsing District – Tai Wo Hau Estate, Kwai Yin Court, Wang Wah Mansion, Sheung Man Court, Tak Tai Building, Yen Ya Building and Tak Tai Court
• Southern District – Lung Tak Court, Ma Hang Estate and Lung Yan Court
• Kowloon City District – Costa del Sol, Laguna Grande, Villa Verde, The Greenwood and Ocean Vista of Laguna Verde; Palm Mansions, Lily Mansions, Cotton Tree Mansions, Bauhinia Mansions, Banyan Mansions, Bamboo Mansions, Cherry Mansions and Oak Mansions of Whampoa Garden
• Sha Tin District – City One Shatin and Sunshine Grove

 
     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.
 
     People who obtained positive results through 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 in 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. Besides, if people living or working in the above areas are tested positive with the rapid test 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 PCR testing, they may collect 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, 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.