The SAR government is calling on people to actively participate in a three-day voluntary mass rapid testing exercise from Friday to better assess the city’s Covid situation.
The government has earlier distributed anti-epidemic service bags – containing 20 rapid tests, 20 KN95 masks, and two boxes of proprietary traditional Chinese medicine – to some 3 million households in the territory.
Extra rapid test kits could be obtained at the city’s 90 distribution points when necessary. Those who have not received the service bags may also collect them at the distribution points after simple registration.
Residents were encouraged to test themselves daily from April 8 to 10 using the rapid antigen testing kits in the anti-epidemic packs delivered to their homes and report any infections within 24 hours.
Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, said the accuracy of the test was higher if it was done in the morning, adding it would be helpful to blow your nose before starting.
Authorities noted that the exercise would be voluntary, and those who tested positive could register their result on the government’s designated online self-reporting platform.
Those without internet access or who need assistance should call the 24/7 hotline - 1836 119 for support.
The online platform would require users to provide personal details as well as those of their household members. They will be asked to fill in their symptoms, living environment, and the conditions of others living in their home.
An SMS with a link to upload a photo of their positive rapid test result and identity card will be sent to the patients after they finish the online registration.
Users will then be able to download an isolation order issued by health authorities after they upload proof of their test results, while health authorities will make arrangements to determine whether the patient, as well as the patients’ household members, need to be sent to a hospital or a quarantine facility.
The government had on Wednesday rolled out a demonstration video on how to use the rapid antigen testing kits. Click here to watch.