In light of the positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in Sham Shui Po, Sha Tin and Yuen Long Districts, the Home Affairs Department (including the Sham Shui Po District Office (SSPDO), the Sha Tin District Office (STDO) and the Yuen Long District Office (YLDO)) today (February 17) distributed a total of about 3 240 COVID-19 rapid test kits (rapid test kits) to residents, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The SSPDO distributed rapid test kits to residents, staff and cleansing workers of a nursing home, a rehabilitation centre, an elderly community centre and a youth centre in the Shek Kip Mei Estate Ancillary Facilities Block for voluntary testing. The SSPO also distributed rapid test kits to cleansing workers and property management staff working in Shek Kip Mei Estate for voluntary testing through the Housing Department and the property management company.

     The STDO also distributed rapid test kits to cleansing workers and property management staff working in Shui Chuen O Estate for voluntary testing through the Housing Department and the property management company.

     In addition, the YLDO distributed rapid test kits to cleansing workers and property management staff working in Tin Shing Court and Ping Yan Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies.

     The Home Affairs Department made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early, so as to better protect the infected persons and their families. However, the Government stresses that rapid test kit testing is not a substitute for the Government's compulsory testing requirement.

     For more information on rapid test kits, please view the following demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection, 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.

Ends/Thursday, February 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 22:56

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