"Free Testing for Everyone, Symptomatic or Not" ... Transition to Rapid Proactive Testing System

Expansion of Temporary Screening Clinics and Securing 1,000 Epidemiological Investigation Personnel in the Province

Governor Kim Kyung-soo announced at a COVID-19 briefing held at the Gyeongnam Provincial Office that anyone can receive a free COVID-19 test. (Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Office)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, announced at a briefing at 1:30 PM on the 14th that "any resident can receive a free test for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

Governor Kim stated, "The most concerning aspect is that this COVID-19 pandemic wave is significantly different from the first and second waves," and informed that free screening tests will be conducted for residents.

Free testing is only available at screening clinics.

To this end, the province will expand temporary screening clinics and conduct rapid testing through the installation of drive-through mobile screening clinics.

Additionally, the province announced plans to increase testing speed by introducing rapid antigen tests.

From the 14th, rapid antigen testing will be available at all medical institutions, allowing for quick confirmation of test results. Insurance coverage for rapid antigen tests is also possible.

Asymptomatic individuals may continue daily activities until test results are available, but symptomatic individuals are encouraged to voluntarily self-isolate.

Furthermore, to support rapid contact tracing and detailed epidemiological investigations, the province will expand the epidemiological investigation personnel from a total of 32 teams and 299 people to 87 teams and 1,000 people.

Governor Kim said, "If asymptomatic individuals are not detected quickly, they progress to symptomatic cases, and the vicious cycle of rapid spread continues to expand," and urged, "Whether you have symptoms or not, anyone can receive a free test, so please actively participate."

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