The Government announced today (February 12) 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.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results in Eastern, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and North Districts, the Home Affairs Department  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 Eastern, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and North District Offices, as well as the Hong Kong Property Services Alliance and the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, starting from tomorrow (February 13) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identifying infected persons –
 

• Sewage Testing Area Eastern Site 5A-2 (Eastern Site 5A-2) – Tsui Wan Estate and Hang Tsui Court
• Sewage Testing Area Eastern Site 5A-4 (Eastern Site 5A-4) – Koway Court and Bayview Park
• Sewage Testing Area Northern Site 2A-3 (Northern Site 2A-3) - Residential premises around Bik Wah Garden, Nam Yuen, Yin Lam Villa in North District
• Sewage Testing Area Sha Tin Site 8A-1 (Sha Tin Site 8A-1) – City One Shatin (Block 34 to Block 52)
• Sewage Testing Area Tuen Mun Site 7A (Tuen Mun Site 7A) – Lung Mun Oasis

     Members of the public 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/Saturday, February 12, 2022
Issued at HKT 23:19

NNNN