Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon Requests Quarantine Authorities to Introduce 'Saliva Specimen Rapid PCR'

Concerns Over Refusal of Nasopharyngeal Swab Testing
Preparation for Pilot Saliva-Based Rapid PCR Testing for Kindergarten and Elementary Students
Research Service Results Show 94.1% Sensitivity of Saliva Sample PCR
Distribution of Kits to Schools and Additional Support of One Quarantine Staff Member Each

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has requested health authorities to introduce 'rapid PCR testing using saliva specimens.' The office is also preparing to pilot saliva-based rapid PCR testing for kindergartens and elementary schools.

On the 23rd, Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "If the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency approves 'saliva-based rapid PCR' as a testing method equivalent to 'standard PCR,' we are considering expanding it as an alternative testing method comparable to rapid antigen tests," adding, "We urge the government and the Disease Control Agency to actively review this."

Superintendent Cho stated, "Through research commissioned with Seoul National University, we have verified the usefulness and effectiveness of rapid PCR testing using saliva specimens," and added, "The nasopharyngeal swab collection method causes pain to children and may cause injuries during repeated tests, leading to psychological fear and resistance to testing among young students."

The research results conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in collaboration with Seoul National University also showed high effectiveness of saliva-based rapid PCR. According to a study conducted at screening clinics and wards of Seoul National University Hospital and Boramae Hospital from August 20 to October 29 last year, rapid PCR testing using saliva specimens demonstrated high sensitivity (94.1%) and specificity (100%), and results could be obtained within an hour, proving highly valuable in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Overseas research results and application cases have also confirmed the high accuracy of rapid PCR using saliva specimens.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to expand 'rapid PCR testing' to dormitory schools, schools requiring face-to-face classes, group activities, practical training such as arts and physical education schools, and specialized schools. The goal is to establish a multi-testing system including rapid antigen tests, on-site mobile PCR testing, and rapid PCR testing.

From the third week of February, as spring break began, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Seoul students slightly decreased, but the proportion of in-school infections significantly increased.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the number of confirmed student cases in the recent week (14th to 20th) was 5,037, a decrease of 727 compared to the previous week. Although the number of confirmed student cases increased by 3,009 last week, more than doubling, the upward trend slowed as spring break started.

The infection routes were family infections (26.3%), in-school infections (21.1%), and out-of-school infections (11.5%), in that order. The proportion of in-school infections (1,026 cases) increased by 12.2 percentage points compared to the previous week.

Superintendent Cho said, "The increase in confirmed cases among children and adolescents under 18 has not stopped, and the situation is urgent as the incidence rate is high among those under 11 years old who are not eligible for vaccination."

He explained, "The proportion of student in-school infections increased by 12.2% (437 cases) compared to two weeks ago, and kindergartens are experiencing a doubling phenomenon with confirmed cases doubling for two consecutive weeks, with most infection routes unclear."

By school level, the incidence rate of confirmed cases exploded in kindergartens. The confirmed case rate per 10,000 people was highest in kindergartens (124.9), more than double the previous week (51.3). This was followed by elementary schools (67.4), high school grades 1-2 (59.4), and middle schools (19.8). The average incidence rate per 10,000 students was 54.4, down from 63.3 the previous week.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education decided to provide additional support for school quarantine personnel starting from the new semester. To minimize the burden on schools that need to distribute rapid antigen test kits, one additional quarantine staff member will be assigned to each of the 2,128 kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools. Additionally, 172 large elementary, middle, and high schools and 920 schools with special classes will also receive one additional quarantine staff member each.

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