Delta Variant Self-Testing Allowed in Cities and Provinces… Seoul City "Strengthening Surveillance and Establishing Quarantine Measures Starting Today"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will strengthen surveillance of the COVID-19 Delta variant as city and provincial health environment research institutes are now able to conduct their own variant testing.

On the 2nd, Park Yumi, the Quarantine Controller of the Seoul Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated in a COVID-19 briefing, "PCR testing for the Delta variant is now possible at city and provincial health environment research institutes starting today," adding, "We will use this opportunity to enhance surveillance of the Delta variant, monitor trends, and develop quarantine measures accordingly." Until now, Delta variant testing was only possible through the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Seoul city also added that it plans to consult with the central government as it judges that the spread of COVID-19 continues despite the implementation of Level 4 social distancing.

Park said, "It has been three weeks since the quarantine level was raised to the highest stage, but the spread has not reversed and infections continue to occur," adding, "We will monitor the spread and consult with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on any additional necessary measures."

He emphasized, "The number of critically ill patients and deaths is increasing," noting that the proportion of patients worsening to critical condition is high among those in their 60s and 70s, and that confirmed cases among teenagers also account for about 10%.

Accordingly, he stated that active measures such as securing beds for severe patients will be taken. Currently, the occupancy rate of severe patient treatment beds in Seoul is 69.7%.

Park said, "The occupancy rate of severe patient treatment beds in Seoul is close to 70%," adding, "We will actively manage bed securing and medical response together with the Central Accident Response Headquarters this week."

Meanwhile, regarding department stores and marts where cluster infections continue, he said that they are requesting measures to strengthen management by conducting preemptive testing and utilizing self-test kits.

Jung Young-jun, Director of Seoul’s Economic Policy Division, explained, "Preemptive testing was conducted for department store employees on the 17th of last month, and 85.6% of them have been tested," adding, "We are requesting the use of self-test kits for management in department stores and similar places." He also added that additional measures such as operating hour restrictions will be reviewed.

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