A medical worker registers personal information of a woman at a COVID-19 testing site in Hong Kong, Jan 24, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said citywide virus testing is an option worth considering, after the special administrative region’s testing capacity is enhanced under the nation’s support.

Four mainland experts who arrived on Thursday will stay in Hong Kong for four days to help analyze the city’s pandemic situation and share their experience of treating COVID-19 patients

She made the remarks to reporters after welcoming four Chinese mainland anti-pandemic experts at the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint on Thursday. The experts will stay in Hong Kong for four days to help analyze the city’s pandemic situation and share their experience of treating COVID-19 patients, Lam said.

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Expressing gratitude for the nation’s support, Lam said Hong Kong’s daily testing capacity is expected to reach 300, 000 by the end of February, but the city still faces a shortage of sampling staff.

After the city is capable of conducting universal testing under the nation’s assistance, the government will consider implementing the project.

She believes the goal is within reach, but it will need the cooperation of the public.

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Besides the four experts, the first batch of two mobile testing vehicles also arrived in the city, which can serve as mini laboratories to conduct tests.

Lam stressed that with the nation’s support, the city can definitely control the raging pandemic.

A 14-day Universal Community Testing Programme was conducted in Hong Kong in September 2020. A total of about 1.78 million specimens were collected and tested.