The Hong Kong government announced today (13th) that it will adjust the criteria for determining the results of nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus. From next Monday (16th), all tests with a Ct value of 35 or above will be defined as negative, in order to facilitate the further return to normal in society as a whole.
Liang Zichao, a specialist in respiratory system, believes that the relevant measures are to be in line with mainland testing. He agrees that cases with nucleic acid test results with a Ct value of 35 or above are generally very low infectivity and will not pose risks to the community.
At present, some countries impose entry restrictions on tourists from Hong Kong, requiring negative nucleic acid to enter the country. Liang Zichao believes that nucleic acid testing in other places is not as strict as Hong Kong. Sub-unification of standards will not cause other countries to tighten entry restrictions on Hong Kong.
▼On December 29, passengers arriving at the airport do not need to undergo nucleic acid testing on the first day▼
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The Hong Kong government announced that it will adjust the criteria for determining the results of nucleic acid tests for the new coronavirus next week.
Test results issued from that date, except for clinical diagnostic purposes, will be defined as negative if the test Ct value is 35 or above.
Nucleic acid test results with a Ct value of 35 or above are no longer considered confirmed.
A government spokesperson explained that this is in response to the development of the epidemic situation, and considering that cases with a Ct value of 35 or above in the nucleic acid test of the new coronavirus are generally very low infectivity, the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health has decided to release the virus by next Monday after assessing the relevant risks. People with nucleic acid test results with a Ct value of 35 or above are no longer classified as confirmed cases, so as to facilitate the further normalization of society as a whole.
The test results issued from 1.16 are in line with the new standard regardless of whether they were sampled before the day
All test results issued from that day, regardless of whether the samples were taken on or before the next Monday, will adopt the adjusted criteria.
The adjusted judgment standard also applies to free and self-funded tests conducted at community testing centers/testing stations, and the negative certificate of self-funded tests can be used for cross-border and other purposes.
▼On December 28, citizens going to Japan's non-four restricted airports will depart as usual before the entry into force▼
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Those who are under quarantine will be notified on the same day that they do not need to continue quarantine if their Ct value is 35 or above
Relevant persons will not be issued an isolation order, that is, they do not need to undergo home isolation, nor will they be arranged to enter community isolation facilities. For those who have been confirmed by nucleic acid testing before next Monday and have a Ct value of 35 or above and still have a valid isolation order , The Center for Health Protection will also notify them via phone text message before noon next Monday that they no longer need to be quarantined, and at the same time cancel their quarantine order, and will also arrange for the relevant people in the quarantine facility to leave in an orderly manner.
Liang Zichao said that the Ct value above 35 is generally very low infectivity and will not bring risks to the community
Liang Zichao, a specialist in respiratory system, believes that the relevant measures are to be in line with mainland testing to avoid confusion. He also agrees that cases with nucleic acid test results with a Ct value of 35 or above are generally very low infectivity and will not bring risks to the community.
He explained that at present, as long as the rapid antigen test is negative twice, there is no need for isolation, and the sensitivity of the rapid antigen test has always been lower than that of the nucleic acid test. Basically, only those with a Ct value of 30 or more in the nucleic acid test result cannot be tested positive, so the adjustment is considered appropriate. It can also reduce the fact that after some people recover, they are unable to travel to other places because they test positive due to residual virus in their bodies.
Liang Zichao believes that the relevant measures are to be in line with the mainland's testing, and agrees that cases with nucleic acid test results with a Ct value of 35 or above are generally extremely low infectivity.
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At present, many countries and regions have imposed entry restrictions on Hong Kong, requiring Hong Kong residents to undergo nucleic acid testing before entering the country.
When asked whether this move would make foreign countries tighten their entry restrictions on Hong Kong, Liang Zichao believed that nucleic acid testing in other places is not as strict as Hong Kong, and said that foreign countries require nucleic acid testing just to ensure that citizens have been tested, so it is expected Entry restrictions on Hong Kong will not be tightened as a result.
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