Professor Kim Woo-joo, "Results within 1-2 hours, better than rapid antigen tests"
Rapid PCR testing site installed in city hall parking lot... Free testing from the 23rd
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Yeoju City in Gyeonggi Province will pilot the 'Rapid PCR Test,' which allows for faster confirmation of COVID-19 test results, starting from the 23rd, the first of its kind nationwide.
The 'Rapid PCR Test' combines the high diagnostic accuracy of the PCR method with the quick result turnaround of antigen tests.
On the 22nd, Yeoju City conveyed the statement of Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, saying, "The Rapid PCR Test can confirm results within 1 to 2 hours and has higher sensitivity, making it better than the currently used rapid antigen tests."
To pilot the 'Rapid PCR Test,' the city installed the 'Nightingale Center' in the city hall parking lot. Anyone can take the test, and it is completely free of charge.
The city is also preparing residential treatment facilities in case many hidden positive cases are detected through accurate testing.
Until now, local governments took about six hours from specimen collection and transport to notification of test results. Recently, with the increase in temporary screening clinics, the number of tests surged, causing delays in results sometimes exceeding 24 hours.
Mayor Lee Hang-jin of Yeoju said, "I believed the most ideal response to COVID-19 is a testing method that provides accurate results in a short time," and added, "After studying data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, I found that the method is 'Rapid PCR' and proceeded to implement it," explaining the background of the 'Rapid PCR' pilot implementation.
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