Finding Hidden Infections 'All-Out Effort'... "Free Testing for Asymptomatic Individuals at Public Health Centers"

"Functional Differences Between Public Health Center Screening Clinics and Temporary Screening Stations Disappear"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] From now on, anyone can receive free COVID-19 diagnostic testing at all public health centers nationwide, regardless of the social distancing level or presence of symptoms. This measure aims to quickly identify hidden infections amid the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and block the fourth wave.

On the 7th, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "We plan to guide that testing will be available at public health center screening clinics regardless of social distancing level, region, symptoms, or epidemiological links." Yoon explained, "Currently, the main testing locations are public health center screening clinics and temporary screening clinics. At public health center screening clinics, testing is mainly conducted for those who meet the case definition, while at temporary screening clinics, testing is available if necessary even if the case definition is not met. Because of this, there were concerns about confusion due to differences in testing between temporary screening clinics and public health center screening clinics within the same region."

The quarantine authorities explained that in this case, the functional difference between screening clinics and temporary screening clinics will almost disappear. However, since most temporary screening clinics are concentrated in the metropolitan area, testing in non-metropolitan areas will mainly be conducted at public health center screening clinics.

Yoon said, "There was an issue where asymptomatic individuals in non-metropolitan areas could not get tested even if they visited public health center screening clinics. To improve testing accessibility, especially in non-metropolitan areas, measures will be taken to allow testing regardless of symptom presence when visiting public health center screening clinics."

The specific timing has not yet been decided. For now, the authorities have completed related discussions with local governments the previous day and plan to revise guidelines and provide guidance as soon as possible. Regarding staffing issues due to increased testing volume at screening clinics, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters will support the necessary personnel.

However, the quarantine authorities stated that they are not currently considering mandatory COVID-19 diagnostic testing for the entire population. Yoon said, "If mandatory testing for all citizens is enforced and administrative orders are issued, the testing volume would increase significantly, potentially lengthening the testing period. We are not considering mandatory testing for all citizens at this time."

He added, "Currently, some local governments are implementing measures where testing is recommended when advised by doctors or medical institutions."

Meanwhile, as of midnight on the same day, 668 new COVID-19 cases were reported, raising concerns about the fourth wave. The quarantine authorities said regarding the entry into the fourth wave, "It is currently somewhat difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the likelihood of entering the fourth wave is increasing. Since many scenario predictions have been inaccurate, making predictions could cause greater confusion, so it is difficult to comment."

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