340k helpers get tested

May 9, 2021

Nearly 340,000 foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) have been tested for COVID-19 at community testing centres (CTCs) and mobile specimen collection stations or submitted deep throat saliva specimen during the period from May 1 up to 6pm today, the Government announced.

 

It is estimated that around 40,000 FDHs have received two doses of the vaccine.

 

The Food & Health Bureau thanked FDHs and their employers for their co-operation in undergoing compulsory testing and fighting the virus together.

 

The Government requested on April 30 that all FDHs in Hong Kong who had yet to complete a COVID-19 vaccination course to receive testing on a compulsory basis on or before May 9.

 

The factors that have been taken into account in the decision include that two recent cases involving the N501Y mutant strain were FDHs, the transmissibility of mutant strains is higher, the sources of infection of the cases were not known, and that the confirmed case had gatherings and contacts with other FDHs during the incubation and infection periods.

 

In view of the surge in testing demand within a short period of time, the Government has substantially increased the booking quotas of CTCs, set up additional mobile specimen collection stations in various districts and extended the service period of mobile stations.

 

The Government expressed gratitude to all those who received tests, including FDHs, for their patience and understanding, and to frontline staff including staff of service providers, relevant government departments and venues for their full co-operation.

 

The bureau emphasised that in view of the threat posed by the mutant strains, it is imperative for people to get vaccinated.

 

It said the two vaccines procured by the Government are sufficient for all Hong Kong people to get vaccinated and pointed out that there are still plenty of unutilised quotas in the CTCs and private clinics.

 

The bureau called on the public to treasure the city's vaccine supply and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

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