Hong Kong says virus still in sewage samples

On May 4, 2022, a Star Ferry will dock in Central on Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. PETER PARKS AFP HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said Saturday that the COVID 19 virus remains in sewage samples from different areas in Hong Kong, indicating there may be hidden cases in these areas.

About 140,000 sets of COVID 19 rapid antigen test kits will be distributed to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in areas with positive sewage testing results showing relatively high viral loads, in order to identify infected persons, it said.

The HKSAR government has urged RAT kit users to report positive results for COVID - 19 via the government's online platform.

In an effort to combat COVID 19 the HKSAR government's Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department collected sewage samples from all districts of Hong Kong for COVID 19 virus testing.

On Saturday, Hong Kong registered 116 new COVID 19 cases by nucleic acid tests and 154 additional cases through self-reported RATs, according to official data.