Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said Tuesday that the government is working with the University of Hong Kong to shorten the testing methods for swine flu virus.
Chow told reporters the new testing method, which allows quicker results, is expected to be in use within one to two weeks.
The testing method currently using takes about two to three days to come up with the results.
A person tested on April 27 for swine influenza has been confirmed to be free of the virus. Meanwhile, four more people have been taken to hospital for tests on Tuesday.
According to Chow, Hong Kong has sufficient resources and materials including the supply of dose to fight the virus should it emerge in the city.
The local top health official and the other ones have discussed the different scenarios that may affect Hong Kong, and the Hospital Authority and government departments are preparing contingency plans.
"We are making preparations for the worst scenarios, although we hope they will not happen. We have a very comprehensive preparation for such a possibility," Chow said.
(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2009)