HAD distributes complimentary COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff in North District, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan and Wong Tai Sin (with photos)

     In light of the positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in North District, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan and Wong Tai Sin, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (March 8) that the North District Office (NDO), the Tai Po District Office (TPDO), the Tsuen Wan District Office (TWDO) and the Wong Tai Sin District Office (WTSDO) have distributed a total of about 84 920 COVID-19 rapid test kits (rapid test kits) to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the districts.

     The NDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Cheung Wah Estate for voluntary testing through the owners' corporation and the property management company of the estate.

     The TPDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Wang Fuk Court and Tai Wo Estate for voluntary testing through the owners' corporations and the property management companies.

     The TWDO distributed rapid test kits to residents of Kwan Mun Hau Tsuen and Yeung Uk Tsuen for voluntary testing through the Village Representatives. The TWDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Sheung Chui Court, H Cube, New Haven, East Asia Gardens, Tsuen Cheong Centre, Tsuen Wan Garden, Ho Fai Garden, Indi Home and Chelsea Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies.

     Moreover, the WTSDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in King Hin Court, Sun Lai Garden, Choi Fung Court and Fu Shan Estate for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the Housing Department.

     The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.

     If people living or working in the above areas test positive with the rapid test kits, they may call 2280 4772, the Government's 24-hour hotline for "persons who tested positive with rapid antigen tests in areas with positive sewage testing results" to arrange door-to-door delivery of rapid antigen test 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.

     For more information on rapid test kits, please view the following demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk.

     The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.