HAD distributes complimentary COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff in Tai Po, Sha Tin and Central and Western Districts (with photos)

     In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Tai Po, Sha Tin and Central and Western Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (May 21) that the Tai Po District Office (TPDO), the Sha Tin District Office (STDO) and the Central and Western District Office (C&WDO) have distributed a total of about 251 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The TPDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Tai Wo Estate, Tai Po Garden, Tai Po Tau Shui Wai, Parc Versailles and Po Nga Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies, the owners' corporations and the Village Representatives.

     The STDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Villa Oceania, Bayshore Towers, The Tolo Place, Ma On Shan Centre, Sunshine City, Fok On Garden and Yiu On Estate for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners' corporations.
 
     In addition, the C&WDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Poksmith Villa, Pokfield Garden, Sun Fat Building, Wai Wah Court, University Heights; residential premises around Sands Street, North Street and Smithfield for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners' corporations. The C&WDO also arranged to distribute rapid test kits to households living in "three-nil" buildings in the district of which the sewage samples were tested positive.

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

     Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.

     Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.

     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 have 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.