On March 2, a resident who arrived by car is undergoing a test for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at the screening clinic of Gyeongbuk Pohang Medical Center, designated as an infectious disease specialized hospital. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Pohang City announced that it will operate the 'COVID-19 Integrated Screening Clinic (Pohang Medical Center),' which was jointly operated by the public and private sectors for the first time nationwide, only until the 10th. From the 11th, the screening clinics will be operated separately at the Nam-gu and Buk-gu Public Health Centers.
Pohang City explained that this decision was made considering disruptions in medical institutions' treatments, difficulties in hospital operations, and accumulated fatigue among medical staff.
Regarding the public health center screening clinics, Nam-gu Public Health Center will operate a 'drive-thru' method concurrently, while Buk-gu Public Health Center will maintain the existing method.
The Pohang Medical Center Integrated Screening Clinic, which has been operating so far, was evaluated as presenting a new medical treatment system model that unified infectious disease response procedures and guidelines among hospitals, with voluntary participation from local medical institutions for the first time nationwide.
In particular, by introducing the drive-thru testing method, it prevented secondary infections among medical staff and allowed citizens to be tested quickly and accurately in a short time while seated in their vehicles at their preferred time, receiving positive responses from both citizens and medical staff.
A Pohang City official stated, "If it is deemed necessary in the future, such as when infections spread in the local community, we plan to newly operate an integrated screening clinic at locations like Pohang Sports Complex."
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