Gochang-gun Distributes 'Rapid Antigen Test Kits' to Infection-Vulnerable Facilities

Published 16 Dec.2021 09:50(KST)

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Jeonbuk Gochang-gun (Governor Yu Gisang) announced on the 16th that it will strengthen COVID-19 diagnostic testing for the elderly by distributing rapid antigen test kits to infection-vulnerable facilities (such as nursing hospitals for the elderly and elderly day care centers).

Previously, the Gochang-gun Public Health Center has been conducting weekly periodic proactive testing (PCR) for workers at 31 high-risk infection-vulnerable facilities.

However, as breakthrough infections among the elderly continue within the region, proactive COVID-19 testing will be implemented.

The Public Health Center plans to conduct rapid antigen tests (self-tests) at least once a week for a total of 2,241 people, including users of infection-vulnerable facilities.

Rapid antigen tests have somewhat lower accuracy compared to the existing PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method, but the time from specimen collection to result confirmation is only 15 to 20 minutes.

Accordingly, it has the advantage of significantly reducing testing time compared to the PCR method (which takes 3 to 6 hours).

If the first rapid antigen test result is positive, a PCR test will be conducted to determine the final positive status.

Choi Hyunsook, head of the Public Health Center, said, “We will do our best to prevent the spread of group infections in the community in advance through rapid antigen diagnostic testing at infection-vulnerable facilities so that residents can feel safe.”