Jeonnam Province Launches Customized Quarantine Measures to Combat Rapid Spread of Omicron

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province is launching a tailored quarantine system to respond to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

The province announced on the 4th that, following the dominance of Omicron, it has shifted to a new testing and medical system, including one-stop medical services at local clinics, and started a customized quarantine system.

On the previous day alone, 29,330 rapid antigen tests (RAT) and 30,402 PCR tests were conducted. Among 637 PCR tests performed on those who tested positive in the rapid antigen tests, 368 were confirmed positive.

In particular, among 202 rapid antigen tests conducted at respiratory designated medical institutions starting the previous day, 2 tested positive.

The province designated a total of 73 respiratory designated medical institutions, starting with 21 local clinics, to provide one-stop services including diagnostic testing, prescriptions, and home treatment.

To ensure no gaps in medical care, the province plans to designate and operate additional respiratory designated medical institutions in consultation with local clinics.

Respiratory designated medical institutions conduct professional rapid antigen tests (RAT), and if positive, proceed with PCR testing.

Rapid antigen test candidates include patients with high fever and suspected COVID-19, patients with acute respiratory symptoms, and those who wish to undergo rapid antigen testing for COVID-19. The consultation fee is 5,000 KRW (based on clinics) and is borne by the individual.

If the rapid antigen test result is positive, comprehensive medical integrated management is provided for confirmed cases, starting with PCR testing, home treatment (mild cases), and prescription of oral antiviral medications.

Prescription of oral COVID-19 antiviral medications is also steadily ongoing. Jeonnam Province has allocated oral antiviral medications for 570 people to designated pharmacies, residential treatment centers, infectious disease specialized hospitals, and nursing hospitals. As of the 4th, a total of 46 cases have been administered.

The target patients for oral antiviral medication are mild to moderate cases within 5 days of symptom onset, aged 60 or older, or immunocompromised individuals. Pfizer’s oral antiviral medication is known to reduce hospitalization or death by 88%.

A Jeonnam Province official stated, “We will proactively respond through the operation of the Omicron-tailored quarantine system,” and added, “We will carefully monitor the field to ensure residents receive prompt diagnostic testing and safe treatment.”

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