The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     To tie in with the Government’s epidemic control strategy, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (August 20) announced that it will continue assisting the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health in distributing specimen packs and collecting deep throat saliva specimens at designated time at 22 general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) (see attachment), facilitating individuals who perceive themselves to have a higher risk of exposure and who experience mild discomforts to undergo a COVID-19 test. The HA will extend the said service arrangement for another three months after the four-week trial.
           
     Staff of the 22 GOPCs will continue distributing the specimen collection packs (including specimen collection bottle, packaging plastic bags, guidelines for collection of deep throat saliva samples, etc) between 7.30am and 8.30am from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) in the designated areas outside the clinics. Only one pack will be distributed to each person while stocks last.
           
     The HA spokesperson reminded participants to submit the deep throat saliva specimens within three working days, with the necessary information for laboratory tests, to the designated collection points outside the 22 GOPCs between 10am and 11am from Monday to Saturday (except public holidays).
           
     The HA spokesperson also appealed to people collecting or returning the specimens at the clinics to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
           
     The HA started the said arrangement from July 27. As at August 19, more than 23 000 specimens had been arranged for COVID-19 tests under this arrangement, with 56 specimens testing positive for COVID-19.

Ends/Thursday, August 20, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:32

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