Free COVID Testing at Temporary Screening Clinics Starting Tomorrow... "Confirmed Cases Expected to Increase"

With a Surge in Confirmed Cases, Searching for 'Hidden Infected'... Implementing Three Testing Methods

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 13th, the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) exceeded 1,000, setting a record high, but the increase in confirmed cases is expected to continue for the time being.

This is because the government has launched a large-scale proactive diagnostic testing campaign in the Seoul metropolitan area, where confirmed cases are concentrated, to find 'hidden infections,' which could lead to a further increase in confirmed cases.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 13th, the government has designated the next three weeks from the 14th of this month to the 3rd of next month as the 'Intensive Testing Period' and will expand free testing at 150 temporary screening clinics set up in the metropolitan area.

The temporary screening clinics will be installed at Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, university areas, and other locations, operating from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. without distinction between weekdays and weekends. Due to the recent rapid increase in confirmed cases and a shortage of epidemiological investigation personnel, military, police, and trainee public officials will also be deployed to support epidemiological investigations.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test is the Most Accurate
Rapid Antigen Test is Faster but 'Inaccurate'

At the screening clinics, testers can choose diagnostic tests including the existing 'PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test,' 'saliva PCR test,' and 'rapid antigen test.'

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained, "The current standard test method, the nasopharyngeal swab test (PCR test), is the most accurate," adding, "The saliva test and rapid antigen test are less accurate but are introduced to proactively detect hidden infections."

The existing PCR test collects specimens by inserting a swab deep into the nasal cavity, and if two or more genes characteristic of COVID-19 test positive, the case is confirmed. Among the three testing methods, it has the highest accuracy but takes about a day to get results.

The saliva PCR test improves convenience by using saliva instead of nasopharyngeal specimens in the existing PCR test, but it also takes about a day to get results.

The rapid antigen test collects specimens from the nasal cavity to detect the presence of components of the COVID-19 virus. Results can be confirmed in as fast as 30 minutes, but due to lower accuracy, if the rapid antigen test result is positive, a PCR test must be conducted additionally.

Professor Kim Ja-young of Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine emphasized, "The rapid antigen test allows quick confirmation of results but has significantly lower accuracy, so caution is needed," adding, "Even if the rapid antigen test result is negative, it is not a confirmed negative but should be considered a 'presumed negative.'" Professor Kim also said, "Especially for asymptomatic close contacts, even if the rapid antigen test is negative, continuous isolation and follow-up observation are necessary."

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