Sejong Implements Flexible Operation of Screening Clinics... Random Testing Suspended During Extreme Cold Waves

Citizens who visited screening clinics to receive COVID-19 diagnostic tests are waiting under the guidance of medical staff. The photo is unrelated to the article. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy (Sejong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Sejong City will operate screening clinics flexibly in response to the winter cold wave.

According to the city on the 7th, from this day forward, if the daily minimum temperature falls below minus 15 degrees Celsius or the daily maximum temperature is below minus 5 degrees Celsius, the operation of screening clinics set up in Jochiwon-eup and Eojin-dong will be suspended.

This measure considers the possibility that the accuracy of COVID-19 test samples may decrease due to freezing of specimens caused by the cold wave, and that medical staff could be exposed to cold wave damage.

Accordingly, random testing conducted in the region will also be suspended during extreme cold waves.

However, diagnostic tests for contacts, overseas entrants, and symptomatic COVID-19 patients will continue from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM on the same day even during the suspension period.

Additionally, the city explained that proactive testing targeting high-risk facilities such as psychiatric hospitals and nursing homes will be conducted continuously.

Kwon Geun-yong, head of the city health center, said, “The flexible operation plan for screening clinics is a measure to maintain the accuracy of COVID-19 testing and to protect the health of staff and test subjects. Even with flexible operation, tests for essential subjects will be conducted promptly to maintain testing capacity.”

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