Residents enjoy the holiday mood as Hong Kong recorded its coldest day in May in more than 100 years on May 2, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said Sunday that it will distribute around 190,000 sets of COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to people in some areas of Hong Kong following detection of the virus in sewage samples.

The test kits will be distributed to residents, cleaning workers, and property management staff working in the areas with positive sewage testing results showing relatively high viral loads, in order to help identify infected persons.

In an effort to combat COVID-19, the HKSAR government's Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have strengthened the sampling of sewage in all districts of Hong Kong for COVID-19 virus testing

The HKSAR government also urged RAT kit users to report any positive results for COVID-19 via the government's online platform.

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In an effort to combat COVID-19, the HKSAR government's Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have strengthened the sampling of sewage in all districts of Hong Kong for COVID-19 virus testing.

Hong Kong recorded 515 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday as more cases were found at the four bars in Central that had outbreaks.

Meanwhile, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the police on Saturday inspected seven catering premises, including five bars, while the FEHD on its own inspected a total of 471 eateries and 166 other premises for possible violations of anti-pandemic measures.

The FEHD initiated procedures to prosecute operators of three eateries in Mong Kok and Central and Western District and two bars in Mong Kok suspected of breaching the rules. 

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Two bars and three other catering premises found with irregularities had to cease selling food and drinks while fixed penalty notices were issued to 11 persons in Central for violating rules on group gatherings.