COVID-19 sampling program helped identify cases that were difficult to find

The two-week universal testing program managed to cut the community transmission chain in Hong Kong to some extent as at least 32 asymptomatic infections have been discovered since it was launched, local authorities and medical practitioners said on Monday.

Initiated on Sept 1, the free program attracted over 1.7 million Hong Kong residents.

Official data show that the asymptomatic patients came from various sectors, with at least five working in the catering business.

Speaking at a daily news briefing on the epidemic, Chuang Shukkwan of the Centre for Health Protection said that the Universal Community Testing Program helped the department to identify cases that were difficult to discover through normal testing procedures as many of them were asymptomatic and not included in high-risk groups.

Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, chairman of BGI's genetic laboratory in Hong Kong, said that the detection of 20 infections had prevented at least 160 cases of infections and cut off six potential chains of transmission.

Wu said the program provided a good model for cross-border cooperation with a project supported by the central government, planned by the SAR government and implemented by local companies.

BGI has around 200 local lab technicians working at the Huo-Yan laboratory built for virus testing.

About 6,000 local medical staff and medical students had helped collect samples at 141 testing centers across the city, while a sample testing team, consisting of local practitioners and mainland experts who were assigned by the central government to the city, worked 24/7 in the Huo-Yan laboratory.

Fu Di, a local doctor who volunteered at the centers, said he was "honored" to be part of the citywide public health campaign.

He recalled that there was a warm atmosphere at the sampling centers, with medical staff and residents cooperating regardless of all the difficulties.

"It gave the impression that Hong Kong is still a pragmatic, rational society with people understanding each other," he said.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen noted that after the completion of the program, the SAR government would continue to expand testing for high-risk groups including residential caring home staff, restaurant workers and public transport workers.

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung revealed that the government was considering arranging a voluntary mass test for teachers as the school would resume on-site classes in stages starting from Sept 23.

Hong Kong reported 14 new COVID-19 cases on Monday. The city now has 4,971 confirmed cases and 101 related deaths.