Volunteer: Mass testing boosts HK's confidence to quell virus

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's universal coronavirus testing program has given the city a big dose of confidence in its fight against the pandemic, said a local doctor who volunteered in the program.

Medical workers taking part in the program have gained valuable experience in handling infectious diseases, boosting the efficiency of the entire medical system in future pandemic-control efforts, Chen Siu-wai told China Daily in a face-to-face interview on Friday.

As the two-week program winds down on Monday, Chen encouraged more residents to grab the last chance to get tested "so that our city and our economy can get back on track earlier," she said.

Chen, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, has worked in the community testing center at Choi Hung Road Sports Centre for five and a half days. Once she finished her work at her clinic in the morning, she would come to the center to help collect residents' specimens until 8 pm.

For many local medical practitioners, Chen said, being able to take part in the program has been an excellent learning opportunity that has greatly broadened their horizons.

"For many private doctors like me, we don't get much chance to deal with infectious diseases. but after the mass testing program, we have learned better how to protect ourselves while helping the city to fight the coronavirus," she said.

After the citywide testing program that was launched on Sept 1, Chen said she feels the whole community has more confidence in combating possible outbreaks in the future, not only because medical workers can be mobilized more easily, but also because the logistics and the venues of testing centers can be arranged faster.

Chen said she was motivated to become a medical volunteer in the program because she was worried that there wouldn't be enough help at the testing station.