Government follows up on positive results of sewage surveillance and appeals to residents to undergo virus testing
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Rapid test
As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the respective District Offices will distribute over 170 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to a total of about 170 000 residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas starting from tomorrow (March 11) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
- Kwun Tong District - Ping Shek Estate, Choi Fook Estate and Choi Ha Estate
- Tuen Mun District - Hong Kong Gold Coast, Sam Shing Estate, Aegean Coast, Siu On Court, Seaview Garden, Tsing Yung Terrace and Bayview Terrace
- Eastern District - Fullview Garden, Harmony Garden, Cheerful Garden, Kai Tsui Court and Hiu Tsui Court
- Sai Kung District - Verbena Heights, Hong Sing Garden, Ying Ming Court, Yan Ming Court, King Ming Court and Ho Ming Court
- Southern District - Ap Lei Chau Estate
- Yuen Long District - Tin Chung Court, Tin Ching Estate and Tin Fu Court
Members of the public may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 1836 119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure. Moreover, if people living or working in the above areas test positive with the RAT kits, they may call 2280 4772, the Government's 24-hour hotline for "persons tested positive with rapid antigen tests in areas with positive sewage testing results" to arrange door-to-door delivery of RAT kits and/or a nasal swab self-sampling kit free of charge. If people wish to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, they may collect a nasal swab specimen and arrange door-to-door collection of the specimen for PCR testing. When severe symptoms (e.g. prolonged fever at 38 degrees Celsius or above, or signs such as shortness of breath, palpitations and chest pain) develop, members of the public are urged to call the 999 hotline for arranging an ambulance transfer to a hospital as early as possible.
Ends/Thursday, March 10, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:45
Issued at HKT 17:45
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