Namwon-si Implements Rapid Antigen Testing to Respond to Omicron Variant

[Namwon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Young-kwon] Namwon City, Jeonbuk announced on the 3rd that it will conduct 'COVID-19 rapid antigen tests' at public health center screening clinics starting from the 3rd to effectively respond to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus as the dominant strain.

Accordingly, for those classified as high-risk groups, PCR tests will be conducted at the screening clinics as before, but for those not classified as high-risk, testing will be done using self-test kits at the rapid antigen testing sites.

The rapid antigen test involves placing a specimen collected from the nasal cavity onto a kit to check for infection, and results can be confirmed after 15 minutes. Therefore, it is suitable for early detection screening of COVID-19 as it allows for a quicker response compared to PCR tests, which take 6 to 24 hours.

The high-risk groups include those aged 60 and above, individuals who have been requested by the public health center to undergo PCR testing due to close contact, patients with a doctor's note indicating the need for a COVID-19 test, those who tested positive on a self-test kit, and subjects of preemptive testing in vulnerable infection facilities.

Also, if the rapid antigen test is conducted not for personal preference but for the purpose of a quarantine pass, a negative certificate will be issued if the result is negative, and if positive, the existing PCR test will be conducted.

If a high-risk individual or someone who tests positive on the rapid antigen test undergoes a PCR test, priority individuals must bring proof verifying their status when visiting the screening clinic.

The city expects that the introduction of rapid antigen testing according to the situation will strengthen PCR testing capacity for high-risk groups, prevent severe illness, and effectively respond to the surge in testing demand caused by the spread of Omicron by linking early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Namwon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Young-kwon wjddudrnjs@asiae.co.kr

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