Extension of Rapid Antigen Test Confirmation Recognition at Local Clinics and Hospitals (Update)

Decision on Ending Based on COVID-19 Situation
Reviewing Use of Rapid Antigen Tests for Overseas Arrivals

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The government has decided to maintain the recognition of positive cases confirmed through professional rapid antigen tests at local clinics and hospitals for the time being.

On the 10th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that the system for confirming cases through rapid antigen tests at medical institutions, originally set to expire on the 13th of this month, will be extended. The confirmation system using professional rapid antigen tests was introduced on March 14.

On the same day, Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained, "The confirmation of cases through rapid antigen tests at medical institutions was introduced to enable quick linkage between testing and treatment. Considering the current epidemic situation, the necessity is still recognized, and the positive predictive value is at a reasonable level, so we judged that an additional extension is possible."

The positive predictive value, which refers to the proportion of people who tested positive on the rapid antigen test and were also confirmed positive by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, has been maintained at a level similar to or higher than when first introduced. The rates were 92.7% at the initial introduction → 94.3% in the first week of April → 91.4% in the second week of April → 92.2% in the third week of April → 94.1% in the fourth week of April.

The authorities plan to continuously monitor changes in the COVID-19 epidemic situation and decide whether to end the confirmation through rapid antigen tests accordingly.

Meanwhile, the option to recognize rapid antigen test confirmations for overseas arrivals is also under review. Lee said, "We are currently reviewing the combined use of PCR and rapid antigen tests for overseas arrivals. However, since there are slight differences between the two tests, we intend to consider all factors before adopting a testing method."

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