Coronavirus: Hong Kong government considering universal testing to combat fifth wave of infections, Carrie Lam says in U-turn on earlier stance
- City leader says details of proposed universal testing are still being ironed out
- Measure a last resort to cut off transmission chains in the event other steps such as tighter social-distancing measures fail to contain outbreak, sources say
Sources described the measure as a last resort to cut off transmission chains in the event other steps such as tighter social-distancing measures failed to flatten the infection curve, although one medical expert warned the testing would be “pointless” without also locking down the city at the same time.
Another insider revealed that officials were weighing whether to send the collected specimens over the border for processing samples for the sake of efficiency, a move that could fuel privacy concerns.
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“We are considering conducting a citywide universal test when we have this capacity,” Lam said, after receiving a group of experts from mainland China at Shenzhen Bay border point.
“This will be a big operation, not something 100 testing vehicles can deliver. Hong Kong will have to collaborate by finding enough space, and the people will need to come out in an orderly manner to take the nucleic tests.”
Hong Kong’s fifth wave continued to worsen on Thursday, with 6,116 new infections reported and about 6,300 people testing preliminary-positive, both record highs.