Residents urged to get tested to help sever unseen infections chain

Hong Kong residents are being encouraged to submit themselves to voluntary coronavirus tests being offered for free from the end of this month.

David Hui, an infectious diseases specialist who advises the government on anti-epidemic measures, said the testing is aimed at identifying and cutting off the chain of invisible transmissions of the coronavirus in the community.

He says at least five to six million residents should get tested, if not, the exercise would not be effective.
Hui told a radio program, he understands that virus testing will start on September 1.

Hui also hopes that 4,000 to 5,000 local medical staff will assist in the testing.

The testing laboratories will not know the actual identity of the owner of a sample, he claimed.
Hui said that this time around, restrictions that had been imposed should only be lifted gradually.