Mobile specimen collection stations and specimen bottle distribution point to be set up in Tsuen Wan, Sai Kung and Tai Po from today

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     The local epidemic situation is worsening rapidly. The confirmed cases distributed all over the territory. Some of the confirmed cases are asymptomatic and this has indicated the existence of many silent transmission chains in the community. In view of a number of confirmed COVID-19 cases relating to residents in Tsuen Wan, Sai Kung and Tai Po recently, in order to identify cases in the community as early as possible to help cut the transmission chains, the Government arranges testing agencies to provide free testing services through mobile specimen collection stations and specimen bottle distribution point in Tsuen Wan, Sai Kung and Tai Po starting today (November 23), with a view to facilitating and encouraging residents of the districts or individuals who perceive themselves as having a higher risk of exposure to undergo COVID-19 testing.

     The testing agencies (BGI and Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited) will set up a total of seven mobile specimen collection stations / specimen bottle distribution point in Tsuen Wan, Sai Kung and Tai Po (see Annex). The mobile stations / distribution point operate starting from November 23. Members of the public may visit the mobile specimen collection stations direct for on-site registration and specimen collections, or the specimen bottle distribution point to obtain specimen bottle and submit deep throat saliva specimens for free COVID-19 testing.

     A government spokesman said, "The testing agencies will provide specimen collection services by combined nasal and throat swab at the mobile specimen collection stations; or distribute specimen bottles to members of the public and collect deep throat saliva specimens at the specimen bottle distribution point for testing free of charge. Persons who are subject to compulsory testing and undergo testing at the mobile specimen collection stations or through the services provided at specimen bottle distribution point will be deemed to have undergone a test at a community testing centre. People whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS through their mobile phones. If any specimen tested shows a positive COVID-19 result, the specimen will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health (DH) for a confirmatory test. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the Centre for Health Protection of the DH."

     The spokesman urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases) to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.

Ends/Monday, November 23, 2020
Issued at HKT 9:14

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