Seoul Gangseo-gu, Proactive COVID-19 Testing at Senior Welfare Facilities

For 1,512 Elderly Users and Staff at Senior Welfare Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) is conducting COVID-19 testing for 1,512 elderly users and workers at elderly welfare facilities in the area, regardless of symptom presence.

This testing is a preemptive response measure due to the surge in COVID-19 infection cases within elderly welfare facilities as well as asymptomatic infections with unknown transmission routes.

In particular, since elderly welfare facilities are used by the elderly, a vulnerable group to infectious diseases, it is important to prevent COVID-19 infections in advance.

Accordingly, the district will conduct preemptive COVID-19 testing for 588 elderly users at 29 day and night care facilities in the area until the 17th.

Testing will be conducted at the Gangseo-gu Public Health Center screening clinic according to schedules and times set for each facility.

Additionally, in cooperation with Seoul City, preemptive COVID-19 testing will be conducted for 924 workers at 60 elderly welfare facilities over two days from the 9th to the 10th.

The location is the public parking lot of Magok 8 District in front of Ewha Seoul Hospital, with equipment and personnel for testing supported by Seoul City.

If confirmed cases arise from this preemptive testing, the district plans to immediately implement follow-up measures such as rapid epidemiological investigations, contact isolation, facility closures, and additional investigations of nearby facilities to block community spread of COVID-19.

Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “As sporadic infection cases continue to occur in small-scale facilities recently, we have decided to conduct preemptive testing to ensure the safety of residents. We also ask residents to strictly follow quarantine rules in daily life, such as wearing masks, to overcome COVID-19.”

The district plans to distribute five masks per person to elderly residents aged 65 and over in the area through community service centers by the 14th to ensure their safety.