The research team at the HKU School of Public Health have been at the forefront of research into COVID-19. One major question is “how many people have been infected so far”. The HKU team are part of a large consortium of international experts to answer this question in different parts of the world.
In Hong Kong, we sincerely invite all Hong Kong residents of all ages to join our study, so that we can collect blood samples to look for evidence of infection with COVID-19 as well as other respiratory viruses such as influenza in the community. In addition to determining the frequency of infection, we will also be able to determine how long immunity will last after infection. To achieve this, we will regularly monitor the health conditions of our study participants through questionnaires, blood draws and respiratory sample collection. When participants report acute respiratory symptoms, we will collect additional respiratory samples. To show our appreciation of the participant’s support, we will provide study participants with basic body check, supermarket coupons and free influenza rapid test.
Contact information of the study team
Telephone / Whatsapp / WeChat ID: +852 9842-3057
Ap Lei Chau Community Vaccination Center (Ap Lei Chau Sports Center)
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays 10:00AM to 5:00PM (12:45PM to 2:30PM lunch break)
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
- Are you currently residing in Hong Kong?
- Do you expect that in the coming year you will reside in Hong Kong for most of the year?
- Are you willing to provide blood specimens for at least two times during the study?
- If you join the study, could parents or legal guardian help to sign the consent form for you (or your family member)?
- Do you or your caregiver have a mobile or landline phone which we can call?
- Do you have any family members who are living with you are also interested in this study?
- How many family members who are living with you are also interested in this study?
- What is the age and sex of each of the interested family member?
Please provide the following information for the study team to contact you later
- Via which of the above means would you prefer us to contact you?
Meanwhile, before the first study visit, we may invite you to complete a questionnaire to record some basic information about you (or your family member), which takes about 15 minutes.
- If yes, which of the below method would you prefer to complete the questionnaire? [Select all that apply]
Questions below are used for statistical purposes only and will not affect your eligibility in joining the study.
- What is the district Council district of your current residence?
- (Optional) How did you hear about this study?
- Name of the study, please specify
- Other means of hearing about this study
- Have you ever stayed in any of the (Hong Kong) government's quarantine centres for quarantine?
(e.g. Fo Tan Chun Yeung Estate, Mei Foo Jao Tsung-I Academy Heritage Lodge, Pat Heung JPC Permanent Activity Centre and Integrated Youth Training Camp, Chai Wan Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village, Sai Kung Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp, Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre, etc.)