Expansion of Free COVID-19 Testing in Geochang-gun... Full Effort to Find Hidden Infections

Proactive Measures for Asymptomatic and Latent Infection Transmission in Local Communities

Geochang-gun Public Health Center Screening Clinic
[Image source=Geochang-gun]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam announced on the 12th that it will provide free COVID-19 testing (PCR) at the public health center screening clinics regardless of social distancing level or presence of symptoms.

This measure is a proactive response to prevent the spread of asymptomatic and latent infections in the community by expanding COVID-19 testing amid a nationwide daily confirmed case count in the 600s.

Previously, general COVID-19 PCR tests were free only for contacts of confirmed cases, overseas entrants, symptomatic individuals based on medical opinion, and those epidemiologically linked to domestic cluster outbreaks under social distancing level 1.5. Now, free testing will be available to asymptomatic individuals and those without epidemiological links regardless of social distancing level or region.

Asymptomatic individuals wishing to be tested can visit the county public health center screening clinic and get tested without an epidemiological investigation. Results will be notified via text message 1 to 2 days after testing.

Since negative result confirmation documents are not issued, tests for the purpose of obtaining COVID-19 negative certificates required for hospital admission must still be paid for and conducted through the Geochang Red Cross Hospital screening clinic as before.

Gu In-mo, the mayor of Geochang-gun, stated, “Given the high rate of asymptomatic infections characteristic of COVID-19, the purpose of expanding testing is to detect hidden infections early within the community and break the chain of transmission.” He added, “We ask residents who have visited other regions or had contact with outsiders to undergo free screening tests even if they have no symptoms.”

The Geochang-gun public health center operates the COVID-19 screening clinic year-round from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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