Over 1.7m tested for COVID-19

September 14, 2020

The 14-day Universal Community Testing Programme concluded successfully today with a total of about 1,783,000 people being tested for COVID-19.

 

About 1,376,000 people had made appointments since August 29 when the online booking system opened.

 

As at 8pm, a total of about 1,719,000 specimens collected under the programme had been tested.

 

Specimens that test positive for COVID-19 will be referred to the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch for confirmatory tests.

 

Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the Centre for Health Protection.

 

So far, there have been 301 cases of personal data being used by others for online booking under the programme.

 

After examination, 161 of the cases were found to involve suspected fraudulent use of others' personal data for booking and they have been referred to Police.

 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said the successful and smooth operation of the programme hinged on the full support of the central government by establishing quickly a nucleic acid test support team to enhance Hong Kong's testing capability in a short period of time.

 

It said more than 570 members of the support team have completed their mission by working zealously days and nights at the temporary air-inflated laboratories, adding they deserved deep respect.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government also thanked some 6,000 healthcare personnel and students who were responsible for collecting specimens, as well as some 4,000 serving and retired civil servants undertaking administrative support duty, for their professionalism and dedication in providing high quality and efficient services to the public.

 

It would continue to extend and conduct repeated testing for target groups or vulnerable groups, and would not relax its anti-epidemic efforts.

 

Although the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has subsided, there are still asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in the community, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted.

 

It added that the public should stay vigilant and comply with its anti-epidemic directives to facilitate gradual resumption of normal daily lives and economic activities.

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