COVID-19 Screening Policy for Carers

All carers are required to provide a valid and negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test report or undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR test before their first visit to the hospital. Subsequent tests are required every 3 days if the carer will continue to provide care to the patient at the hospital.

• Any person who stays with the patient for more than 2 hours or out of the visiting hours of the hospital
• Any person who is responsible for taking care of a patient

• Each patient may register up to 3 carers per stay
• Name and HKID/travel document number of the carers will be recorded
• Only up to 2 registered carers are allowed to stay during any one period/shift at day time
• In general, only 1 registered carer is allowed to stay during night time (not include ICU / HDU cases)
• Frequent change of carer is not advised

• All carers are required to fill in the “Health Declaration” form for each visit
• Carer is not allowed to visit if:
  • the carer is living in specified premises listed in a compulsory testing notice;
  • the carer has received a written Compulsory Testing Direction (unless he/she is fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19);
  • the carer or his/her family member(s) is/are currently under home quarantine or medical surveillance;
  • the carer presented with fever or any COVID-19 related symptoms.

• 1^st COVID-19 RT-PCR Test
  
  • All newly-registered carers are required to submit a valid and negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test report to our ward staff on their first visit to the hospital. The result is regarded as valid for 3 days, with specimen collection day to be counted as day 1.
  • COVID-19 test reports from one of the authorised external laboratories or institutions with patient’s full name and identity number will be accepted.
  • The carer can self-pay for a one-time deep throat saliva (DTS) for RT-PCR test* for COVID-19 at a charge of HK$1,200 in our 24-hour Outpatient and Emergency Department. Appointment is needed. 
    *Please make a note of the specimen submission time as follows. 
    
    • Specimen Submission Time
      • Monday to Friday:   Before 2:00pm
      • Saturday:                Before 12:00nn
      • Sunday and public holidays are excluded
    • Notes on Specimen Collection
      • Do NOT brush your teeth, eat or drink after getting up
      • Keep your stomach empty for least 2 hours
          
• Subsequent test after the 1st COVID-19 RT-PCR test
  • Subsequent tests are required every 3 days if the carer will continue to provide care to the patient at the hospital. All results are valid for 3 days only, with specimen collection day to be counted as day 1.
    For carers who are fully vaccinated for at least 14 days and confirmed antibody (IgG) positive - NO NEED for regular Antigen Test every 3 days
  • COVID-19 test reports from one of the authorised external laboratories or institutions with patient’s full name and identity number will be accepted.
  • The carer can undergo a self-paid Rapid Antigen Test (charges HK$120) in our 24-hour Outpatient and Emergency Department.
  • We will issue a “Rapid Antigen Test Notice for Carers” to the carer, and he/she is required to undergo the Rapid Antigen Test at our 24-hour Outpatient and Emergency Department.
  • The Rapid Antigen Test result will be available in around 20 to 30 minutes.
  • If the COVID-19 negative result has expired for more than 7 days, the carer should repeat the RT-PCR test.

• Wear a surgical mask at all times in wards and other hospital areas except during meal time
• Shorten the meal time (< 15 mins) and put on the mask immediately after eating and drinking
• No talking during eating or drinking
• Do not eat with patients
• Help patient to put the mask back on immediately after feeding
• Maintain social distance during visits (e.g. staying one metre apart)
• Observe hand hygiene frequently and before leaving the patient room
• Maintain personal and environmental hygiene

Please also refer the Emergency Response Level - Notes to Patients and Visitors and the latest visiting policy on our website.