Citizens queue for COVID-19 testing at a mobile testing station in Hong Kong, Feb 11, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong medical experts are proposing the government conduct the city’s planned universal testing on a household basis rather than individually to enhance efficiency and reduce infections among family members.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Tuesday that the government will implement in March the compulsory universal testing program, under which all residents must undergo three rounds of COVID-19 tests. Residents will be divided in batches based on ID card numbers to get the tests. Those who refuse to be tested will face penalties.

Joseph Tsang Kay-yan, a local infectious disease expert, said that allowing household members to be tested all at once can also make it easier to make arrangements to isolate them in the same place, saving quarantine units

Joseph Tsang Kay-yan, a local infectious disease expert, said it would be dangerous to conduct the mass testing on an individual basis. He said that in previous cases, some COVID-19 patients who lived with their girlfriend or boyfriend reported the address of their parents, making it difficult for health authorities to trace the patients’ actual close contacts.

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He added that allowing household members to be tested all at once can also make it easier to make arrangements to isolate them in the same place, saving quarantine units.

Tsang also said that according to epidemiological studies, imposing certain lockdowns is the best supporting measure for mass testing. To improve the effectiveness of the testing campaign, he proposed the government also consider such an approach and arrange medical workers to go to the residents’ doors to collect samples.

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David Lam Tzit-yuen, a lawmaker for the medical sector, also agreed with the idea of carrying out mass testing on household basis, facilitating it with necessary lockdown measures. He also suggested the government upgrade the tracking function of the LeaveHomeSafe app to better locate those who test positive in the mass testing.

Currently, the app does not record users’ visiting history unless the user scans a QR code displayed at some venues or taxis.