"Rapid Antigen Tests Not Available..." Some Turn Away

Visiting Temporary COVID-19 Screening Centers in the Capital Area...
Free Testing Lines Despite Severe Cold

On the 15th, when 880 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jeong, Kim Heung-soon, Kim Dae-hyun, Ryu Tae-min, Song Seung-seop] "I came to get a rapid antigen test because a family member was a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, but I was told I couldn't get tested, so I feel disappointed."

At 9 a.m. on the 15th, Kim (28), who visited the temporary COVID-19 screening site at Exit 14 of Sadang Station in Seocho-gu, Seoul, urgently sought a nearby screening site after a family member had recent contact with a confirmed case, but was told, "You cannot receive a rapid antigen test."

The testing site staff explained, "We do not have the necessary equipment, so currently only the existing PCR test among the three types?nasopharyngeal swab PCR, rapid antigen test, and saliva PCR test?is available. To receive a saliva test or rapid antigen test, you must apply separately in advance." PCR involves collecting a specimen by inserting a swab into the nasal cavity, saliva PCR uses saliva for testing, and the rapid antigen test collects a specimen from the nasal cavity and provides results within 30 minutes.

Over 100 People Gather at Seoul Station from Early Morning
Confusion at Some Sites Due to Lack of Equipment
Testing Start Delayed

At the Sadang Station testing site that day, the COVID-19 testing questionnaire distributed showed signs of being hastily prepared, with the nasopharyngeal swab PCR test mistakenly labeled as '비인도두발' (a typo). Medical staff were urgently deployed on-site, causing delays in testing times. Lee (30s), who was crouched down exhausted from the cold, said, "I deliberately came early in the morning when there are fewer people, but testing had not started even by 9:30 a.m. There were dozens waiting, but the testing site staff repeatedly said medical personnel had not arrived, leading to some complaints from those waiting."

At the same time, a line of citizens waiting for free diagnostic tests extended to the subway station entrance at the Seoul Station temporary screening site. Nearly 100 people were waiting, with about 80% being adults in their 30s to 50s. Kang from Dobong-gu said, "I work near Seoul Station, and since a close contact was identified at my company, I came early feeling anxious. I don't have symptoms but am getting tested just in case."

Many who came early to the testing sites wanted the rapid antigen test, which provides results within 30 minutes. Park (40s) said, "I work near Chungmuro and was classified as a close contact, so I came for testing. I want to get results quickly to prevent further spread." A testing site official said, "A total of 732 people were tested the previous day, with 30 receiving saliva tests and 14 rapid antigen tests."

Some people were getting tested for the second time after hearing about the expansion of free testing. Kang (50s) said, "I attend a church in Jongno-gu and was tested in March, but I am getting tested again now because infections at religious facilities have recently increased, making me anxious."

On the 15th, when 880 new cases of COVID-19 were reported, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rapidly spreads mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, a diagnostic kit is held in the hand of a citizen at a temporary screening clinic set up in the plaza of Seoul Station. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

4,973 Free Tests Conducted on First Day
16 Sites in Seoul, 14 in Gyeonggi... Incheon Starts Today
"Expand Free Testing Nationwide to Find Asymptomatic Infections"

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, on the first day of operation of temporary screening sites in the metropolitan area, a total of 4,973 diagnostic tests were conducted at 30 sites as of 6 p.m. the previous day. By region, 2,240 tests were conducted at 16 sites in Seoul and 2,733 at 14 sites in Gyeonggi Province. Incheon is scheduled to start operating testing sites from today.

By test type, 4,285 nasopharyngeal swab PCR tests (Seoul 1,844; Gyeonggi 2,441), 409 saliva PCR tests (Seoul 378; Gyeonggi 31), and 279 rapid antigen tests (Seoul 18; Gyeonggi 261) were recorded. If a rapid antigen test is positive, a secondary nasopharyngeal swab PCR test is conducted, but no one has undergone this secondary test yet.

Excluding temporary screening sites, the number of diagnostic tests conducted by health authorities the previous day was 44,181, an increase of 21,737 from 22,444 the day before. Among these, 880 people tested positive, resulting in a positivity rate of 1.99%, a significant decrease from 3.20% (718 out of 22,444) the previous day.

Experts emphasize the need to greatly expand testing considering the characteristics of the third wave, which has many asymptomatic infections. Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "France, which has a similar population size to ours, conducts nearly ten times as many tests daily. It is important to expand free testing nationwide to lower barriers and quickly identify hidden infections in the community."

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