South Korea Conducted 70,000 COVID-19 Tests... Cost Is 1/25th of the US

[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] The number of people tested for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea has surpassed 70,000. This figure is significantly higher compared to major countries worldwide. While there are concerns about an uncontrollable outbreak, it is also being evaluated as a result of the authorities' quarantine strategy for early containment.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters as of 9 a.m. on the 28th, the number of COVID-19 diagnostic tests conducted domestically reached 70,940. The testing rate relative to the population is 0.1367%.

This number of diagnostic tests is clearly higher compared to major countries such as Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. During the same period, Japan conducted 2,058 tests (as of noon on the 27th), which corresponds to about 0.0016% of its population. This is far below the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s daily maximum testing capacity of 3,800 tests. Even within Japan, there are concerns that the actual COVID-19 situation may be underestimated compared to South Korea’s testing numbers.

The situation is similar in other countries. Italy, where confirmed cases are rapidly increasing, conducted about 9,500 tests by the 26th, and the United Kingdom conducted about 7,690 tests as of the 27th. The number of tests conducted in the United States is even lower. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update on the 26th (local time), 445 tests were conducted, with 15 confirmed cases.

However, in the United States, the situation is rapidly changing as cases with unknown infection routes have emerged in California. As of the 27th, about 8,400 suspected cases were identified in California alone, and the number of diagnostic tests is expected to surge in the future.

Domestic quarantine authorities plan to block further group exposures through early diagnostic testing. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, explained, "We are conducting a very large number of tests compared to other countries because we test anyone with even the slightest suspicion." The authorities have recently increased testing capacity significantly to 15,000 tests per day.

Major foreign media are also highlighting South Korea’s quarantine efforts as an indicator of "fast and accurate high-level medical standards." U.S. ABC News reported, "Global health experts say South Korea’s speed and scope of COVID-19 testing demonstrate capabilities unmatched by any other country, including the United States," calling it "impressive."

Currently, South Korea covers the cost of diagnostic tests for those suspected of COVID-19 infection or those who develop related symptoms after contact with confirmed cases. If a person not eligible for free testing requests a test and receives a negative result, they are charged 160,000 KRW for the test. In contrast, in the United States, the cost of a diagnostic test is known to be about $3,270 (approximately 3.97 million KRW). Even with health insurance, patients must pay about $1,400.