The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding the "Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance Programme", the Hospital Authority (HA) provides the following supplementary information today (March 3):
 
     In line with the recommendations of the Scientific Committee of the Centre for Health Protection, the HA widened the "Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance Programme" from inpatient to outpatient of Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) and General Out-patient Clinics (GOPC) aged 18 or above, presented with fever and respiratory symptoms or mild chest infection since February 19, so as to detect COVID-19 mild cases in the community and to better understand the epidemiology of the virus. Since February 28, the Programme further extended to cover patients below 18 years old and those patients with fever or respiratory symptoms subject to clinical assessment of physician in charge. Starting from tomorrow (March 4), the test will be further expanded to also cover around 10 viruses such as Influenza, Parainfluenza, Rhinovirus. The Programme is a surveillance programme, rather than diagnostic service. Similar to other surveillance programmes, this Programme is implemented in appropriate spots. Taking into account the constraints of spaces and specimen transportation logistics, the Programme currently covers 63 GOPCs and 17 A&E, whilst clinics located on outlying islands and remote areas have not been included in the Programme at this stage (as attached list).

Ends/Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Issued at HKT 21:32

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