Free Coronavirus Test, Anyone?

The Hong Kong government's latest slogan on fighting the coronavirus

As Hong Kong reported 27 new cases today, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor held a press conference and gave more details about the mass testing for the coronavirus that is set to begin on September 1 for two weeks.

Even though the number of new cases has significantly dropped in the last two days, the government is strongly encouraging everyone to take the free test sponsored by Beijing.

Anyone over the age of six can register online for the test, giving their name, HKID number, contact details, and preferred time and testing station to ensure social distancing.

Lam urged all Hongkongers to participate in the free test

When people arrive at the testing station, their details will be checked and then given a barcode on their test bottle. That way on the Department of Health knows the people's identities.

Then a trained doctor, nurse or dentist will administer the test, taking nose and throat swabs and then put them in the test bottle.

If the person tests negative for the virus they will get an SMS message; if they are positive, then arrangements will be made for them to get medical treatment as soon as possible.

The 150 swab stations will be open from 8am to 8pm everyday for two weeks. After the samples are tested they will be destroyed in Hong Kong.

While Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee hopes 5 million people will take advantage of the one-time free test, it is uncertain whether that many people will actually take part.

Handing out testing kits to residents in Tsz Wan Shan earlier

"The more tests we do to identify more cases, the less we have to worry about," she said.

Secretary for Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen says those who take the test will have their privacy respected.

"The tests will only be carried out in the city, and neither the personal details or the specimen bottles will be sent outside the city," he said.

"We know the program is voluntary, but we hope the public can participate actively... so that we can identify more hidden cases, and cut off the transmission chain earlier," Nip continued. "For yourself, for your loved ones, and for those medical workers, please participate."

Sounds like they are practically begging people to take the test.

Lam even pleaded with the media to report on the test "objectively" and encourage the public to take the test.

But Hong Kong's top infectious disease experts question the effectiveness of mass testing if only a few people participate.

Dr Ho said today that mass testing is like "wasting bullets"

University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung said the government would be "wasting bullets" if the tests are not targeted at people with higher risk of infection.

He cited the case of Tsz Wan Shan, a Covid-19 hotspot, where 40,000 free tests were given out to public housing residents there; of the 29,000 samples collected, only a few tested positive.

Ho said it would be better to focus more on patients in hospitals and frontline workers in hospitals and elderly care homes. He also added the mainland brought the disease under control from early diagnosis and isolation.

"You have to aim at some targets, otherwise you are just wasting bullets."

Touche.