'One Test Per Household' Pohang City Extends Period Until February 3... Citizens' Complaints Explode Over "Lack of Preparation"

On the 26th, testing kits ran out in many places on the first day of testing amid bad weather
Petition on Blue House bulletin board calls for cancellation of 'administrative order'
Specimen teams expanded from 44 to 73, testing also conducted at 5 h

Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang is announcing the extension of COVID-19 testing during an emergency briefing on the 27th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Pohang City, which issued an administrative order requiring "at least one COVID-19 test per generation," announced on the 27th during an emergency briefing that the testing period will be extended until February 3rd.

This extension of the testing period comes after testing kits ran out early at screening clinics on the first day of testing, the 26th, causing citizens who came to the testing sites to turn back, leading to widespread complaints. On the same day, a petition titled "Please stop Pohang City's administrative order" was even posted on the Blue House website.

In addition to the existing Nam-gu and Buk-gu public health centers and 17 temporary screening clinics, Pohang City decided to conduct parallel testing at Pohang Medical Center, Seongmo Hospital, S-Pohang Hospital, Pohang Saemyeong Christian Hospital, and Joeun Seonrin Hospital. Testing is free of charge.

Furthermore, to expedite testing, the number of specimen collection teams has been significantly increased from 44 to 73 teams. To improve inconveniences caused by long waiting times and to prepare for the freezing cold weather, windbreak screens and heating devices will be installed inside the screening clinics, and additional personnel will be deployed to guide compliance with quarantine rules.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok stated on the day, "We will immediately address any shortcomings from the first day of implementation to alleviate citizen inconveniences," adding, "Unlike the nationwide decreasing trend, our region has accounted for 71% of the total confirmed cases since last December, indicating a very serious situation," urging active participation from citizens.

Meanwhile, on the first day of testing, the 26th, a total of 21,932 people underwent specimen testing. The number of people subject to testing under Pohang City's 'at least one test per household' administrative order is estimated to be at least 200,000.