The Government announced on February 8 that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) 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.
 
Compulsory testing
 
     In response to the positive sewage testing results in Discovery Bay, Sha Tin and Tin Shui Wai, the Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publishes in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, requiring any person who had been present at the following specified premises (see Annex) during the specified period to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test –
 

• Sewage Testing Area Islands Site 3A – Discovery Bay
• Sewage Testing Area Sha Tin Mei Lam Estate 03 (MLE-03) - Mei Tao House, Mei Lam Estate.
• Sewage Testing Area Tin Shui Wai Tin Shing Court 1 (TSC-1) - Shing Yuk House, Tin Shing Court
• Sewage Testing Area Tin Shui Wai Tin Shing Court 7 (TSC-7) - Shing Him House, Tin Shing Court
• Sewage Testing Area Tin Shui Wai Tin Shing Court 13 (TSC-13) (part) - Shing Yi House, Tin Shing Court.

     The Government strongly reminds members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo testing on time as required.  The above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well. They are advised to closely monitor their health conditions. They should seek medical attention and undergo testing even if they have only mild symptoms.
 
     Details of the compulsory testing notice are available on the website of the Centre for Health Protection, the Department of Health, via www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/105294.html .
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results in North District, Tai Po, Sha Tin and Yau Tsim Mong Disrict, the Home Affairs Department (including North, Tai Po and Sha Tin 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 today (February 9) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identifying infected persons –
 

•  Sewage Testing Area Northern 2A-5 (Northern Site 2A-5) – Area around Tai Tau Leng and Goodwood Fa Yuen
•  Sewage Testing Area Tai Po 7A-1 (TP Site 7A-1) – Area around Hong Chi Pinehill Village; Ban Tip House in Fu Tip Estate; and Heng Yue House, Heng Yiu House, Heng Tsui House, Heng Wing House, and Heng Shing House in Fu Heng Estate
•  Sewage Testing Area Sha Tin May Shing Court 02 (MSC-02) - Yat Shing House in May Shing Court

      In addition, the Home Affairs Department (including Yau Tsim Mong and Kowloon City District Offices) will distribute three sets of COVID-19 rapid test kits to all cleansing workers and property management staff working in the following area (see Annex) through the Hong Kong Property Services Alliance and the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identifying infected persons. The Government appeals to residents and those working in these areas who have been exposed to infection risks to undergo testing on a voluntary basis to achieve "early identification, early isolation and early treatment" –
 

• Sewage Testing Area Tsim Sha Tsui 1A-1 – Residential Area around Oi Man Estate, Ultima, Chun Man Court, Dragon View in Ho Man Tin
• Sewage Testing Area Tsim Sha Tsui 1A-2 – Residential Area around south of Austin Road
• Sewage Testing Area Tsim Sha Tsui 1A-3 – Residential Area around Woodcliffe and Hilton Towers in Tsim Sha Tsui

     Residents may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the rapid test kits.

     When positive result (including vaguely positive with a faint band showing on the test kit) is obtained, one should immediately seek medical attention for follow up management. Residents tested positive should stay home as far as possible to avoid spreading the virus in the community. The Government stresses that rapid test kit testing is not a substitute for the compulsory testing requirement. Individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, who have visited places with epidemic outbreaks or have had contact with persons tested positive, etc, should undergo testing promptly at testing centres.

     In addition, the EPD has uploaded the boundary of places with compulsory testing notice issued due to the sewage samples tested positive and related information to the dashboard of the thematic website "Together, We Fight the Virus", to facilitate the reference from the public, via
https://chp-dashboard.geodata.gov.hk/covid-19/en.html. 

Ends/Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Issued at HKT 1:15

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