[Q&A]Corona treatment at the local hospital from February 3… How to get tested and treated

From the 29th, rapid antigen testing for novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) using self-test kits will be available at screening clinics at public health centers, and antigen testing will be available at local hospitals and clinics after the Lunar New Year holiday. This is a measure considering the fact that more than 10,000 confirmed cases have occurred for the third day due to the spread of Omicron, and the majority are asymptomatic and mild.

On the 28th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters discussed the ‘implementation plan for the transition of the examination and treatment system of local hospitals and clinics’ and made this announcement. According to the authorities, from February 3, the new testing system will be applied to both screening clinics and temporary screening centers in public health centers.

In the future, genetic amplification (PCR) tests at 256 public health center screening centers and 213 temporary screening centers will be able to receive genetic amplification (PCR) tests first. Rapid antigen testing is available free of charge.

The COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment applied to the respiratory clinic will be gradually expanded to desired local hospitals and clinics, such as otolaryngology, which mainly treats respiratory patients. Authorities predicted that at least 1,000 local hospitals and hospitals would participate. The new diagnostic test, epidemiological investigation, management response system and response method were organized around the announcement of the quarantine authorities.

-I suspect that I have symptoms of COVID-19, can I go directly to the screening clinic at the public health center?

▶ Yes. If there is an epidemiological relationship, if a doctor’s note is received, if the elderly over 60 years old, if the self-test kit or rapid antigen test for experts is positive, if you are a worker in a vulnerable facility such as a nursing home, check directly at the screening clinic at the public health center can receive

However, the general public who do not fall under this category will be provided with a free rapid antigen test using a self-test kit under the supervision of a manager at a screening clinic. The rapid antigen test results are available within 30 minutes, and if the result is positive at this point, you can receive a PCR test immediately.

– Can I get a COVID-19 test at a local hospital?

▶ It is implemented at 431 respiratory clinics nationwide (115 clinics, 150 hospitals, 166 general hospitals), and can be found on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service website. Operating hours are from 9 am to 7 pm. After basic examination of respiratory symptoms and underlying diseases, a rapid antigen test for experts is performed, and if positive, PCR test is performed. The cost of the examination is free, but the examination fee of 5,000 won is borne by the person.

-What is the difference between the rapid antigen test using a self-test kit and the rapid antigen test received at a medical institution?

▶ The sample collection method is the same. The rapid antigen test used in professional medical institutions is the same as the existing PCR test. Nasopharyngeal epithelial cells located deep inside the nose, where the virus is most prevalent, are used as a sample, and a specialist is needed because it is collected from the deep inside of the nose. Test kits used by individuals are collected from the front of the nose and tested. Tests performed by individuals may collect slightly less virus.

– Can I receive treatment at the local hospital where I was diagnosed?

▶ Yes. If confirmed at a designated hospital or clinic, you can receive Pfizer’s prescription for COVID-19 treatment Paxrovid and home treatment at that hospital or clinic. Home treatment will be given for 7 days, and medical institutions will check the health status of confirmed patients through landline phone calls 1-2 times a day.

-Do you receive the same treatment regardless of your age or underlying disease?

▶ No. The elderly over the age of 60, those under the age of 50 who are not vaccinated, and those with underlying diseases are classified as ‘intensive care groups’. The other general management group will monitor once a day.

– I am concerned that I may be infected by overlapping the movement line while going to the local hospital for treatment.

▶ Before treating patients suspected of COVID-19, reservations were made and the treatment hours were separated from general patients. In addition, ΔSeparation of waiting area for respiratory and fever patients and general patients ΔKF94 or higher mask and face protection when collecting samples ΔCorona 19 treatment designated medical institution labeling at the entrance of medical institutions, etc.

– I decided to receive home treatment at a local hospital, but if there is an emergency at night, who should I call?

▶ At night, the ‘home treatment support center’, a form of a consortium of clinics, plans to monitor home treatment patients, and you can follow the instructions of your local hospital. In addition, the local clinics that have been tested for Corona will operate a primary care physician system to ensure 24-hour management.

-Where do I go if I feel uncomfortable while receiving home treatment at a local hospital?

▶ Do not go to an institution that provides home treatment. If you are unwell, you must visit an ‘outpatient treatment center’ to receive treatment. There are 52 outpatient treatment centers nationwide, including 21 in Seoul, 26 in Gyeonggi, and 3 in Incheon.

-Where can I get the quarantine pass voice confirmation certificate?

▶It can be issued at screening clinics and respiratory clinics. In screening clinics, a rapid antigen test can be performed with a self-test kit under the supervision of a manager and the test result is negative.

(Seoul = News 1)

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