Over 80 collection points across territory for public to submit deep throat saliva specimen

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     To enable individuals who perceive themselves as having a higher risk of exposure or experience mild discomfort to undergo free testing, and to further facilitate members of the public to submit deep throat saliva specimen, starting from tomorrow (December 24), the Government will set up 23 additional specimen collection points in government premises in various districts across the territory (see Annex 1). Coupled with the 60 existing specimen collection points (including 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority (HA) and 13 designated clinics of the Department of Health (DH) (see Annex 2)), there will be a total of 83 specimen collection points across the territory to facilitate the public to undergo voluntary testing for "early identification, early isolation and early treatment".

     The operating hours of the 23 additional specimen collection points will be 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 11am on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. In general, those who have a negative test result for COVID-19 will receive an SMS notification within three days after submitting the specimen. If the test result is positive, the DH will follow up immediately.

     The public should note that the above 23 additional specimen collection points will not distribute deep throat saliva specimen collection packs. If they wish to obtain specimen collection packs, they can visit the 47 designated GOPCs of the HA, all 121 post offices across the territory or vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations. Specimen collection packs can be obtained for free on a first-come-first-served basis while stocks last. For the locations of the aforementioned distribution/collection points and distribution/collection hours, as well as details of other means of testing, please browse the following website: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau urged all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with exposure to infection risk (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases) to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.

Ends/Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Issued at HKT 21:38

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