Chungbuk Introduces 'Self-Test Kits' for Infection-Vulnerable Facilities

Demonstrating a test using a 'self-diagnosis kit.' The self-diagnosis kit collects a specimen from inside the nose with a swab and places it into the diagnostic reagent for identification. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy (Chungbuk) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungbuk Province will pilot the introduction of COVID-19 self-test kits targeting infection-vulnerable facilities.

On the 4th, the province held a donation ceremony for self-test kits with SD Biosensor Co., Ltd. and the Chungbuk branch of the Korean Red Cross, and unveiled plans for the use of the self-test kits.

The self-test kits are a testing method conditionally approved by the government on the 23rd of last month. The province plans to distribute 10,000 self-test kits, prioritizing infection-vulnerable facilities and users of treatment and protection facilities.

The initial distribution targets include 9,000 workers in call centers, public transportation, and bathhouse businesses, as well as about 1,000 residents including 119 emergency transport patients and users of shelters for victims of violence.

Starting with the pilot introduction, the province also plans to further review and implement expanded measures allowing residents to generally use self-test kits.

Earlier, at the end of last year, amid a regional infectious disease spread crisis caused by cluster infections, Chungbuk became the first nationwide to fully introduce rapid antigen testing focused on infection blind spots, vulnerable groups, and high-risk vulnerable facilities. As of the end of April, 239,666 people were tested, identifying 74 asymptomatic confirmed cases.

Additionally, during the third large wave, the province operated 27 additional mobile screening clinics alongside the existing 31 screening clinics to curb the spread of infectious diseases.

Meanwhile, self-test kits have the advantage of allowing individuals to conduct COVID-19 tests themselves and confirm infection status within 15 to 30 minutes.

Most importantly, unlike existing rapid antigen tests which use nasopharyngeal swabs and require professional medical personnel, self-test kits use nasal (inside the nostril surface) specimens, enabling anyone to easily and conveniently perform the test.

However, self-test kits have somewhat lower accuracy compared to PCR tests using genetic amplification methods, so they are used as an auxiliary means for COVID-19 diagnosis. If a ‘positive’ result appears, individuals must immediately visit a public health center screening clinic for diagnostic testing.

A provincial official stated, “Self-test kits are expected to greatly help block the spread of COVID-19 alongside existing PCR and rapid antigen tests,” adding, “We plan to gather opinions from cities, counties, and related departments soon to expand the use of self-test kits.”

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