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Written by: Zheng Cuibi
2020-08-22 07:00
Last update date: 2020-08-22 07:00The government will start to implement "universal voluntary testing" on September 1, collecting samples of nasal cavity and throat swabs from citizens. Some doctors pointed out that if the sample is taken in the nasal cavity, the detection rate is only 40%. If it is tested together with a throat swab, the rate can increase to 60 to 70%, which is slightly lower than the 70 to 80% of a nasopharyngeal swab.
The private medical group "Tang Jian" was invited to participate in the sampling plan. Dr. Leung Kwok Ling, the operating director of Town Health International Medical Group, revealed that the government has also invited local laboratories to participate in the testing work of the national test, but it is unknown how many will participate in the final.
Liang Guoling bluntly stated that the government’s low credibility may deter people from participating in testing. He urged the government and relevant testing agencies to provide more information, "the more open, the less imagination", and the addition of local laboratories may make the public. Increased confidence.
Pediatric specialist Liu Chengzhi said that if only sampling in the nasal cavity, only 40% of patients can be found. (Photo by Lu Yiming)
The detection rate of nasopharyngeal swab is up to 80%
According to Liu Chengzhi, a pediatrician, that if only 40% of patients are sampled in the nasal cavity, the pick up rate of throat swabs is about 60% to 70%. As for nasopharyngeal swabs, about 70 to 80% of patients are the highest among the three. He continued that although nasopharyngeal swabs can find more patients, they can easily induce coughing. If citizens carry the virus, the sampler will face certain risks.
Li Weizhen, chairman of the General Association of Hong Kong Medical Laboratories, said that according to some studies, nasopharyngeal swabs and deep throat saliva are similar in sensitivity, but deep throat saliva is more difficult to detect mixed. The government may therefore decide to switch to nasal and throat swab samples. I believe that if the nasal cavity and throat are tested together, the detection rate can be increased to 60 to 70%, but the cost is more expensive than a nasopharyngeal swab alone.
Kangjian prospective employees take paid leave to assist in national testing
Dr. Liang Guoling, Chief Operating Officer of Town Health International Medical Group, said that citizens need to make an appointment for testing online, "but walk-in (no appointment) is accepted, I want everyone to facilitate each other", and the test results will be available within 24 hours. The government informs the citizens that their samples will be treated as medical waste.
He continued that the government has invited private medical institutions to send staff to assist in sampling. They will work in two shifts. Each shift is 6 hours. Kang Jian also encourages doctors and nurses to participate in the plan. The number of participants is currently unknown. He said that the government has specified that each organization provides training for employees participating in the plan. However, health employees are government employees when assisting in sampling, and the government provides equipment. If there is an error, the government will bear the responsibility.
However, Liang Guoling said that on days when employees assisted in sampling, the group would approve them to take paid holidays, and employees would be arranged for a virus test before returning to work in the group.
Leung Kwok Ling revealed that the government has also invited local laboratories to participate in the testing work of national testing, but it is unknown how many will be able to participate. (Photo by Lu Yiming)
Earlier, the government pointed out that the testing work of the national test would be handled by three mainland institutions. Leung Kwok Ling revealed that the swab kits for sampling for citizens are provided by various laboratories. The government has also invited local laboratories to assist in the test. However, it is unknown how many of them can participate in it. A local laboratory that cooperates with Town Health is currently daily. It can detect 20,000 to 30,000 samples, such as adding machines and manpower in the future, and using mixed detection methods, or the ability to double the detection capacity.
Li Weizhen said that some genetic companies in Hong Kong claim that they have the ability to process over 10,000 samples per day, while private laboratories have no more than 5 that can do 10,000 samples per day.
Li Weizhen believes that if the nasal cavity and throat are tested together, the detection rate can be increased to 60 to 70%. (Photo by Lu Yiming)
Refers to the "more open" the government can persuade more citizens to participate in testing
Liang Guoling said bluntly that the government’s credibility is low, or people are deterred from participating in the test. He urged the government and related testing agencies to explain more information, "the more open, the less imagination", and the addition of local laboratories may make it possible The confidence of the public has improved. He also believes that universal testing can help identify some invisible patients in the community and protect other high-risk groups.
From left to right: Li Weizhen, Chairman of the General Association of Hong Kong Medical Laboratories, Liang Guoling, Chief Operating Officer of Town Health International Medical Group, and Liu Chengzhi, a specialist in pediatrics. (Photo by Lu Yiming)
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