Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your email on 2.7.2021.

Please find our reply as below:

Q:Could you please advise if the cycle/ cross over threshold  currently
used is the same whether the individual taking the test is Covid
vaccinated or not?
A: Currently, the result reporting algorithm are the same for samples
collected from vaccinated and unvaccinated subject(s).
Please be noticed Ct/Cp cutoff is not applicable to the SARS-CoV-2
molecular testings in PHLSB.

Yours sincerely,
(CHAN Che-wa)
for Director of Health

----- Forwarded by Raymond CW CHAN/DH/HKSARG on 08/07/2021 08:01 -----

From:        Francis YM CHING/DH/HKSARG
To:        Raymond CW CHAN/DH/HKSARG@DH
Cc:        Sophy KK KWOK/DH/HKSARG@DH, Denise SH WONG/DH/HKSARG@DH
Date:        02/07/2021 14:19
Subject:        *Restricted: Freedom of Information request - Cycle/ Cross
Over Threshold for PCR Tests

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Raymond,

I refer to your preceding email of 29 June 2021 to Allyson van de Pol.  As
the requested information is related to subject under your Service's
purview, please reply the enquirer direct with a copy to SCO(Per)3 (Email:
Denise SH WONG/DH/HKSARG@DH) for reference.

For your information, as set out in the Code on Access to Information
("the Code"), where possible, information should be made available within
10 calendar days of receipt of a written request (i.e. 9.7.2021).  If that
is not possible, the applicant should be so advised by an interim reply
within 10 calendar days of receipt of the request.  The target response
time will then be 21 calendar days from receipt of the request (i.e.
22.7.2021).  CMAB has issued a sample on the first interim reply as
attached.  
[attachment "First interim reply.doc" deleted by Raymond CW
CHAN/DH/HKSARG]

Part 2 of the Code defines the types of information disclosure of which
may be withheld.  The withholding of information under provisions of Part
2 is subject to consideration of public interest in disclosure.  Please
also be reminded that in deliberating on whether the information should be
disclosed, Service should also consider whether the public interest in
disclosure of such information outweighs any harm or prejudice that could
result from disclosure.  Please also be reminded that when a request for
information is to be refused, or partially refused, for reasons listed in
Part 2 of the Code, Service Head should provide a draft reply by 16.7.2021
to Departmental Secretary, Access to Information Officer quoting all the
relevant reasons and paragraphs in Part 2 of the Code on which the refusal
is based with appropriate elaborations to justify invoking the relevant
paragraphs, the avenue of internal review by Deputy Director of Health and
the avenue of complaint to The Ombudsman.

You may make reference to DH Standing Circular No. 6/2010[1]Link on the
Code.  Also more details can be found in the Code website by CMAB
([2]http://www.access.gov.hk/en/home/index.h...).

Regards,
Francis CHING
CO(Per)5
Tel: 3107 2575

Disclaimer : This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for
the designated recipient only.  It may contain information that is
privileged for the designated recipient.  If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, retention, disclosure,
copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination of the message is strictly
prohibited.  If you have received the message in error, please erase all
copies of the message (including attachments) from you system and notify
the sender immediately.

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #692 email]>
To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date:        02/07/2021 07:37
Subject:        Freedom of Information request - Cycle/ Cross Over
Threshold for PCR Tests

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Could you please advise if the cycle/ cross over threshold  currently used
is the same whether the individual taking the test is Covid vaccinated or
not?

Thanks very much.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #692 email]

Is [Department of Health request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:
[3]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

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the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
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-------------------------------------------------------------------

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收起引用部分

I am out of the office until 15/07/2021.

For urgent matters, please contact Miss Denise WONG at 3107 2570 / &DH/SCO
[Per]3 or Miss Jackie LAM, CO(Per)4 at 3107 2571 / &DH/CO[Per]4.

Note: This is an automated response to your message "Internal review of
Freedom of Information request - Cycle/ Cross Over Threshold for PCR Tests"
sent on 14.07.2021 04:53:55 PM.

This is the only notification you will receive while this person is away.

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your email on 14.7.2021.

Please find our reply as below:

The in-house SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays  of Public Health Laboratory Service
branch at the Centre for Health Protection, Dept of Health have 40 or 45
PCR cycles.
Currently, crossing point, instead of threshold cycle, is adopted by PHSLB
for the SARS-CoV-2 in-house assays (Please notice that the derivation of
crossing point is different from that of threshold cycle).
Any positive PCR signal appears before PCR cycle 40 or 45 is considered as
a preliminary positive PCR result. Currently, neither Ct nor Cp cutoff is
being adopted by PHLSB.
All preliminary positive PCR results were/will be further confirmed by
another PCR test targeting specific genes of SARS-CoV 2.

Yours sincerely,
(CHAN Che-wa)
for Director of Health

----- Forwarded by Raymond CW CHAN/DH/HKSARG on 19/07/2021 14:54 -----

From:        Francis YM CHING/DH/HKSARG
To:        Raymond CW CHAN/DH/HKSARG@DH
Cc:        Sophy KK KWOK/DH/HKSARG@DH, Denise SH WONG/DH/HKSARG@DH
Date:        15/07/2021 12:43
Subject:        *Restricted: Internal review of Freedom of Information
request - Cycle/ Cross Over Threshold for PCR Tests

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Raymond,

I refer to your email dated 8 July 2021 to Allyson van de Pol.  As the
requested information is related to subject under your Service's purview,
please reply the enquirer direct with a copy to me for reference
For your information, as set out in the Code on Access to Information
("the Code"), where possible, information should be made available within
10 calendar days of receipt of a written request (i.e. 23.7.2021).  If
that is not possible, the applicant should be so advised by an interim
reply within 10 calendar days of receipt of the request.  The target
response time will then be 21 calendar days from receipt of the request
(i.e. 3.8.2021).  CMAB has issued a sample on the first interim reply as
attached.  
[attachment "First interim reply.doc" deleted by Raymond CW
CHAN/DH/HKSARG]

Part 2 of the Code defines the types of information disclosure of which
may be withheld.  The withholding of information under provisions of Part
2 is subject to consideration of public interest in disclosure.  Please
also be reminded that in deliberating on whether the information should be
disclosed, Service should also consider whether the public interest in
disclosure of such information outweighs any harm or prejudice that could
result from disclosure.  Please also be reminded that when a request for
information is to be refused, or partially refused, for reasons listed in
Part 2 of the Code, Service Head should provide a draft reply by 28.7.2021
to Departmental Secretary, Access to Information Officer quoting all the
relevant reasons and paragraphs in Part 2 of the Code on which the refusal
is based with appropriate elaborations to justify invoking the relevant
paragraphs, the avenue of internal review by Deputy Director of Health and
the avenue of complaint to The Ombudsman.

You may make reference to DH Standing Circular No. 6/2010[1]Link on the
Code.  Also more details can be found in the Code website by CMAB
([2]http://www.access.gov.hk/en/home/index.h...).

Regards,
Francis CHING
CO(Per)5
Tel: 3107 2575

Disclaimer : This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for
the designated recipient only.  It may contain information that is
privileged for the designated recipient.  If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, retention, disclosure,
copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination of the message is strictly
prohibited.  If you have received the message in error, please erase all
copies of the message (including attachments) from you system and notify
the sender immediately.

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #692 email]>
To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date:        14/07/2021 17:45
Subject:        Internal review of Freedom of Information request - Cycle/
Cross Over Threshold for PCR Tests

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

I recently sent you a reply that said:

"Thank you for the information. However regarding your comment, "Please be
noticed that CT/ cutodd is not applicable to the SARS-CoV-2 molecular
testings in PHLSB".

In a previous request you advised me of the following:

"The in-house SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays  of Public Health Laboratory
Service branch at the centre for Health Protection, Dept of Health have 40
or 45 PCR cycles. Currently, crossing point, instead of theshold cycle, is
adopted by PHSLB for the SARS-CoV-2 in-house assays. Please notice that
the use of crossing point is different from that of threshold cycle."

May I ask what you mean that the CT/ cutoff is not applicable, when as
above you advised me of the CT. Even if CP was used instead, why is it now
not applicable?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your email on 2.7.2021.

Please find our reply as below:

Q:Could you please advise if the cycle/ cross over threshold  currently
used is the same whether the individual taking the test is Covid
vaccinated or not?
A: Currently, the result reporting algorithm are the same for samples
collected from vaccinated and unvaccinated subject(s).
Please be noticed Ct/Cp cutoff is not applicable to the SARS-CoV-2
molecular testings in PHLSB.

Yours sincerely,
(CHAN Che-wa)
for Director of Health

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #692 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[3]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. file:///tmp/Notes:/DHRC2/48256BDF001A610E/6EBB1372865D2781482573AA002D3B20/7F20DF8D773B294348256BFA0029FD10
2. http://www.access.gov.hk/en/home/index.h...
3. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

收起引用部分

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your email on 25.7.2021 for seeking additional information.

Please find our reply as below:

Q1: Please advise how the discovery of genetic material of SARS CoV2
rather than live viruses during the RT-PCR test, relates to clinical
illness?
A1: All laboratory results should be interpreted by the clinicians with
epidemiological and clinical correlations.  
Q2: What is the difference between crossing point and threshold cycle?
A2: The crossing point (Cp) of a PCR reaction as the point where the
reaction’s fluorescence reaches the maximum of the second derivative of
the amplification curve, which corresponds to the point where the
acceleration of the fluorescence signal is at its maximum. The threshold
cycle (Ct) is defined as the number of cycles required for the fluorescent
signal to cross the threshold level.
Q3: Which specific genes of SARS-CoV2 are subsequently targeted in the
follow up PCR test. How is this carried out?
A3: SARS-CoV-2 RdRP and Spike genes are tested by RT-PCR in PHLSB.

Q4: Given that the RT-PCR test is to be withdrawn on 31st December 2021,
what test will be used in its place?
A4: The requested information is not under PHLSB's purview as PHLSB is not
using the CDC 2019-nCoV RT-PCR assay.  

Yours sincerely,
(CHAN Che-wa)
for Director of Health

From:        Francis YM CHING/DH/HKSARG
To:        Raymond CW CHAN/DH/HKSARG@DH
Cc:        Sophy KK KWOK/DH/HKSARG@DH
Date:        26/07/2021 12:40
Subject:         *Restricted: Fw: Internal review of Freedom of
Information request - Cycle/ Cross Over Threshold for PCR Tests

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Raymond,
Further to your email dated 19 July 2021 regarding the subject matters,
Allyson van de Pol has submitted a request in preceding email for your
follow up action, please.
Noted that the requestor has marked "internal review" in the email
subject, you may wish to consider if it is an "internal review" of
previous decision or just seeking additional information.  If you
considered it an internal review, you are advised to follow the procedures
as set out in paragraph 36 of the DH Standing Circular No. 6/2010[1]Link,
i.e. respective Service Head will have to re-examine the previous decision
and make recommendations to Deputy Director of Health ("DDoH") on the
review via Departmental Secretary, Access to Information Officer ("AIO").
 For the latter case, you may wish to clarify with the requestor on
his/her request.  
As set out in the Code on Access to Information ("the Code"), where
possible, information should be made available within 10 calendar days of
receipt of a written request (i.e. 3.8.2021).  If that is not possible,
the applicant should be so advised by an interim reply within 10 calendar
days of receipt of the request.  The target response time will then be 21
calendar days from receipt of the request (i.e. 13.8.2021).  CMAB has
issued a sample on the first interim reply as attached.  
[attachment "First interim reply.doc" deleted by Raymond CW
CHAN/DH/HKSARG]

Part 2 of the Code defines the types of information disclosure of which
may be withheld.  The withholding of information under provisions of Part
2 is subject to consideration of public interest in disclosure.  Please
also be reminded that in deliberating on whether the information should be
disclosed, Service should also consider whether the public interest in
disclosure of such information outweighs any harm or prejudice that could
result from disclosure.  Please also be reminded that when a request for
information is to be refused, or partially refused, for reasons listed in
Part 2 of the Code, Service Head should provide a draft reply by 9.8.2021
to AIO quoting all the relevant reasons and paragraphs in Part 2 of the
Code on which the refusal is based with appropriate elaborations to
justify invoking the relevant paragraphs, the avenue of internal review by
DDoH and the avenue of complaint to The Ombudsman.

You may make reference to DH Standing Circular No. 6/2010[2]Link on the
Code.  Also more details can be found in the Code website by CMAB
([3]http://www.access.gov.hk/en/home/index.h...).

Regards,
Francis CHING
CO(Per)5
Tel: 3107 2575

Disclaimer : This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for
the designated recipient only.  It may contain information that is
privileged for the designated recipient.  If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, retention, disclosure,
copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination of the message is strictly
prohibited.  If you have received the message in error, please erase all
copies of the message (including attachments) from you system and notify
the sender immediately.

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #692 email]>
To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date:        25/07/2021 11:28
Subject:        Internal review of Freedom of Information request - Cycle/
Cross Over Threshold for PCR Tests

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Please advise how the discovery of genetic material of SARS coV2 rather
than live viruses during the RT-PCR test, relates to clinical illness?

What is the difference between crossing point and threshold cycle?

Which specific genes of SARS-CoV2 are subsequently targeted in the follow
up PCR test. How is this carried out?

Given that the RT-PCR test is to be  withdrawn on 31st December 2021, what
test will be used in its place?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your email on 14.7.2021.

Please find our reply as below:

The in-house SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays  of Public Health Laboratory Service
branch at the Centre for Health Protection, Dept of Health have 40 or 45
PCR cycles.
Currently, crossing point, instead of threshold cycle, is adopted by PHSLB
for the SARS-CoV-2 in-house assays (Please notice that the derivation of
crossing point is different from that of threshold cycle).
Any positive PCR signal appears before PCR cycle 40 or 45 is considered as
a preliminary positive PCR result. Currently, neither Ct nor Cp cutoff is
being adopted by PHLSB.
All preliminary positive PCR results were/will be further confirmed by
another PCR test targeting specific genes of SARS-CoV 2.

Yours sincerely,
(CHAN Che-wa)
for Director of Health

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #692 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[4]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. file:///tmp/Notes:/DHRC2/48256BDF001A610E/6EBB1372865D2781482573AA002D3B20/7F20DF8D773B294348256BFA0029FD10
2. file:///tmp/Notes:/DHRC2/48256BDF001A610E/6EBB1372865D2781482573AA002D3B20/7F20DF8D773B294348256BFA0029FD10
3. http://www.access.gov.hk/en/home/index.h...
4. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

收起引用部分

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your email on 29.7.2021. Please find our reply as below:

Pooling of samples has been used in Public Health Laboratory Services
Branch (PHLSB).

Yours sincerely,
(LUEY Kit-yee)
for Director of Health

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[email address]>
To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date:        29/07/2021 18:50
Subject:        Freedom of Information request - RT-PCR Testing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Can you please advise whether pool testing is used when testing samples in
the RT-PCR test for Covid 19 now or at anytime over the last 18 months in
Hong Kong. Pool testing is when a number of samples are 'pooled together'
and any positive result is applied to all samples.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[email address]

Is [Department of Health request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:
[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[2]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

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manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

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Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Your application for access to information dated 29.7.2021 and seeking
further information email dated 6.8.2021 were received.

Pooled sample testing is performed for selected samples only.  PHLSB does
not capture any statistics on percentage of pooled sample testing.

 Yours sincerely,
(LUEY Kit-yee)
for Director of Health

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #692 email]>
To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date:        06/08/2021 13:39
Subject:        Re: *Restricted: Fw: Freedom of Information request -
RT-PCR Testing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you very much for your reply.

Is Pool Testing used  for all samples (ie standard practice) or just
occasionally? If occasionally , can you please supply an approximate
percentage number how often pool testing is used?

Many thanks,

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your email on 29.7.2021. Please find our reply as below:

Pooling of samples has been used in Public Health Laboratory Services

Branch (PHLSB).

Yours sincerely,

(LUEY Kit-yee)

for Director of Health

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[email address]>

To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health
request email]>

Date:        29/07/2021 18:50

Subject:        Freedom of Information request - RT-PCR Testing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Can you please advise whether pool testing is used when testing samples in

the RT-PCR test for Covid 19 now or at anytime over the last 18 months in

Hong Kong. Pool testing is when a number of samples are 'pooled together'

and any positive result is applied to all samples.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via

the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[email address]

Is [Department of Health request email] the wrong address for Freedom of
Information requests

to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:

[1][1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on

the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[2][2]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

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manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

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1.
[3]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

2. [4]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

-------------------------------------------------------------------

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[FOI #692 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[5]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

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收起引用部分

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Thank you for your follow up question on 12/8/2021.

In PHLSB, sample pooling was performed on specimens for SARS-CoV-2
screening and surveillance purpose.

Yours sincerely,
(LUEY Kit-yee)
for Director of Health

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #692 email]>
To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date:        12/08/2021 13:04
Subject:        Re: *Restricted: Fw: Freedom of Information request -
RT-PCR Testing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Many thanks for your reply.

May I then ask under what circumstances pool testing occurs? Under certain
circumstances or randomly? Why are certain selected samples chosen and not
others?

Many thanks

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Your application for access to information dated 29.7.2021 and seeking

further information email dated 6.8.2021 were received.

Pooled sample testing is performed for selected samples only.  PHLSB does

not capture any statistics on percentage of pooled sample testing.

 Yours sincerely,

(LUEY Kit-yee)

for Director of Health

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #692 email]>

To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health
request email]>

Date:        06/08/2021 13:39

Subject:        Re: *Restricted: Fw: Freedom of Information request -

RT-PCR Testing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you very much for your reply.

Is Pool Testing used  for all samples (ie standard practice) or just

occasionally? If occasionally , can you please supply an approximate

percentage number how often pool testing is used?

Many thanks,

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #692 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

收起引用部分