HK Mulls Mandatory Coronavirus Testing

Dr Constance Chan with a graph that shows possible uptick

 

Apparently the number of coronavirus cases are on the rise and the Hong Kong government is mulling whether to make testing mandatory.

Yes, mandatory.

China Secret bar so far has 10 cases in cluster

Didn't we just go through a massive HK$530 million exercise and only 42 cases positive cases were found, and infectious disease experts said it was a waste of money?

This afternoon the Director of Health Dr Constance Chan Hon-yee made an appearance at the regular 4.30pm press conference where 18 new cases were reported.

She described the current situation as "worrying" and pulled out a chart with projections made by the University of Hong Kong. It shows the reproduction rate of infected cases, known as the R value, has increased from below one to just above one. This means one infected person is potentially passing the virus to another person.

There were 35 new cases this week, quadruple the number last week of eight, while untraceable infections rose from three to 12 in a week, a two-month high.

Chan looking into legality of mandatory testing

Chan added the viral load in some new cases was quite high, indicating they were more infectious. The most recent clusters are a bar in Tsim Sha Tsui ironically named China Secret (10 cases), and a home for the disabled in Kwai Chung (12 cases). 

At the same time Chan wants to speak to those in the hotel industry in a bid to stop large gatherings in hotel rooms for "staycations". 

While there are a few birthday parties here and there, most are couples or families trying to have a mini break for the weekend. The number of people in the room should be limited, but how can the hotel reinforce this rule? It's very difficult.

There also haven't been any cases stemming from these hotel parties... yet.

But back to mandatory testing... Secretary for Health Sophia Chan said earlier today it would soon be "necessary" to protect public health.

She even added the government is looking into the legalities of forcing people to take tests.

Who is going to pay for the test this time?

"As for compulsory testing [for Hongkongers], from the perspective of carrying out our work related to public hygiene, if some people who need to undergo the tests fail to do so, they will hinder our work safeguarding public health," she said.

"If there is a mandatory measure to require people to participate in the tests, we will have a better grasp of the relevant data for us to roll out effective measures. Therefore, this compulsory measure is necessary.

"We understand some people may have concerns about this. We are still studying the legality of mandatory testing to address their concerns, and the legal framework about this measure."

While this possibility is mildly alarming as most people are wearing masks and social distancing, even more worrying is who is going to pay for mandatory testing this time? And how much will it cost?