China News Service, September 1, comprehensive Hong Kong media reported that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government officially launched the new coronavirus universal community testing program today, and the public has responded enthusiastically.
Of the 141 community testing centers in Hong Kong, nearly 70% (97) of the testing centers have full appointments on the first day.
As of 10 pm on August 31, about 580,000 people have made appointments online.
Data map: On August 31, a citizen took photos at the entrance of Southorn Stadium in Hong Kong. This is one of the 141 community testing centers that popularize the community testing program.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
Approximately 580,000 people have queued up for testing in the morning and have made an appointment
At 7:50 in the morning, many citizens have lined up for testing at various inspection points.
There are staff on site setting up sun protection tents and maintaining social distance control.
As of 10 pm on August 31, about 580,000 people have made appointments online.
According to the SAR government, some of the 141 testing centers are full, including the Suntech Testing Center in Tseung Kwan O. People who have made an appointment can attend the test.
The SAR government will consider whether it will extend the plan for up to 7 days depending on the appointment and operation.
According to reports, the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam, will lead the Secretary and Executive Council members to conduct tests together; members of the Legislative Council will also be tested.
Citizens at the Yuen Wo Road Gymnasium in Shatin, Hong Kong line up for testing.
Picture source: Dagong Wenhui all-media reporter
The SAR government calls on citizens to actively participate in the general inspection
Zhang Zhujun, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Centre for Health Protection of the Hong Kong Department of Health, emphasized that since the general inspection requires an appointment first and there is also a time quota, there will be no long queues.
She also urged the public to participate in general inspections in order to find invisible communicators, which would help track and isolate these patients, and hoped that "the more people do the better, the more people do it, the better. How many)".
The Chief Administrative Manager of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, Yu Huiling, said that the Hospital Authority supports the general inspection and the participation of medical staff in the plan, because the HA and the bureau's strategy are consistent with early identification, early isolation, and early treatment.
Currently, more than 6,000 medical personnel have signed up for assistance in the project. There are also about 4,000 government personnel from 75 policy bureaus and departments who are on duty at various district testing centers and are responsible for administrative support and center management.