Authorities "Expand Selective Testing in Care Facilities Nationwide... Proactive Testing in Epidemic Areas of Si, Gun, Gu"

Last Month's Proactive Mass Testing Found 20 COVID-19 Cases in 5 Locations
"Regular Mass Testing Ahead... Strengthening High-Risk Group Quarantine Management"

Last month, a COVID-19 cluster outbreak occurred at Busan Haetteurak Nursing Hospital <이미지:연합뉴스>

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The quarantine authorities have decided to expand proactive mass testing this month nationwide for nursing facilities and hospitals where vulnerable groups to COVID-19 gather. Last month, testing was conducted in the metropolitan area and some regions, but since confirmed cases were found in some areas, indicating infection risk factors, the authorities plan to expand the testing. Given the nature of COVID-19, with many asymptomatic and mild cases, there is a concern that the virus could spread as infected individuals unknowingly enter vulnerable facilities. This measure aims to preemptively identify and block infections among high-risk groups.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing on the 2nd, "To strengthen COVID-19 prevention management in infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals, we plan to expand proactive mass testing for workers and users to all cities and provinces nationwide and conduct periodic testing."

Earlier, when a cluster infection broke out at a nursing hospital in Busan last month, the government conducted mass testing targeting workers and users of nursing hospitals and facilities in the metropolitan area. Some local governments, including Busan, also conducted their own mass testing. Nursing facilities have many residents living in close quarters for extended periods, so once an infection spreads, it can lead to large cluster infections. Since many residents are elderly or have underlying conditions, there is a high risk of severe illness. For residents with mobility difficulties who require close care, virus transmission is also easier. Due to the high risk of casualties, authorities are focusing their efforts on quarantine in these groups.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)

According to the quarantine authorities, as a result of mass testing conducted in the metropolitan area and six cities and provinces, 20 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been identified in five locations so far. At a nursing facility in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, a total of 13 people, including 8 users, tested positive.

Previously, the authorities have been conducting selective testing targeting groups living in dense conditions. Currently, pooled testing is being conducted on military recruits nationwide by collecting specimens together, and testing is also being done for new admissions to nursing facilities and all medical institutions. Since once the virus spreads in these groups, many people are likely to be exposed, proactive testing aims to detect any possible infected individuals early.

For COVID-19 patients, recently about 40% were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, and most cases are asymptomatic or mild. It is estimated that about 10% of patients show little symptoms even until discharge. This means that even if infected, individuals may not show symptoms such as fever or cough and may spread the virus without getting tested. The government is also considering measures targeting vulnerable groups and regions experiencing large-scale outbreaks.

Head Jung said, "We are planning to implement extensive proactive testing targeting asymptomatic individuals and workers in multi-use facilities in areas where outbreaks have occurred at city, county, or district levels, or where confirmed cases have accumulated and infection risk is judged to be high." He added, "We plan to gradually expand this based on analysis of the epidemic situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.