Haenam-gun, Free Testing Available for Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases

Total Effort to Block Community Transmission in Preparation for the 4th Wave

Haenam-gun Office Building Exterior (Photo by Haenam-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, is conducting free COVID-19 testing at public health center screening clinics regardless of distancing level, region, or presence of symptoms to block the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

With over 600 confirmed cases daily nationwide in the past week, anyone in the county wishing to be tested for COVID-19, even without symptoms, can now receive free testing to prepare for the fourth wave.

Until now, free testing was limited to confirmed COVID-19 cases, contacts, or suspected patients based on a doctor's opinion.

The county plans to proactively and aggressively expand diagnostic testing to minimize asymptomatic and latent infections in the community, detect COVID-19 positive cases early, and minimize community spread.

Additionally, to alleviate infection concerns while waiting for tests, the flow of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals will be separated within the screening clinics, and if testing volume increases, some health services will be reduced and testing personnel will be actively expanded and deployed.

Haenam-gun has not reported any COVID-19 cases for two months due to active measures such as comprehensive testing of 246 workers at 23 daycare centers, 1,136 people at 40 vulnerable facilities including nursing hospitals, and 1,412 foreign workers at 353 workplaces.

A county official urged, “To protect yourself and your family, please refrain from going out, gathering, or visiting other regions as much as possible, and if you have visited an outbreak area or have even mild cold symptoms, please actively get tested if you have any suspicion.”