[Q&A] PCR Only for High-Risk Groups... No Quarantine Required Even After Contact with Confirmed Cases if Vaccinated

Changing Quarantine System
Self-testing Except for High-Risk Groups
Vaccinated Confirmed Cases Quarantine for 7 Days Only
Pilot in 4 Omicron-Dominant Areas
Nationwide Transition Discussion After Lunar New Year Holiday

On the 25th, when the highest ever number of 8,571 new COVID-19 cases was recorded, citizens visiting the screening clinic set up at Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul lined up to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the Omicron variant becomes the dominant strain and the number of new COVID-19 cases reaches an all-time high, the government will activate a new quarantine system called the ‘Omicron Response Phase’ starting from the 26th. If the number of new cases exceeds 10,000 within this week, it will be impossible to focus quarantine and medical resources on all confirmed cases, so the system will shift to a diagnosis and treatment framework centered on high-risk groups.

Q. Will PCR tests no longer be available to everyone?

A. Due to the rapid increase in confirmed cases caused by Omicron transmission, testing capacity will reach its limit, so PCR testing will be reorganized to focus on early diagnosis of high-risk groups such as those aged 60 and above. PCR tests at public health center screening clinics will be concentrated on high-risk groups aged 60 and older. Priority groups for PCR testing include those aged 60 or older, epidemiologically linked individuals, those with medical opinions, preemptive testing targets in infection-vulnerable facilities, and those who test positive on rapid antigen tests. Other individuals are encouraged to use self-administered rapid antigen tests at public health center screening clinics, and symptomatic individuals should visit designated medical institutions such as respiratory clinics to receive expert rapid antigen tests. Testing fees are free, but patients must pay a consultation fee of 5,000 KRW at clinics. The reorganization of the diagnostic testing system will be piloted first from the 26th in Omicron-dominant areas such as Gwangju, Jeonnam, Pyeongtaek, and Anseong, and will be expanded nationwide after the Lunar New Year holiday.

Q. Is the self-quarantine period for confirmed cases and contacts being shortened?

A. From the 26th, the self-quarantine period will be shortened and adjusted nationwide. If a COVID-19 confirmed case is fully vaccinated, the self-quarantine period will be 7 days instead of the current 10 days. Fully vaccinated refers to those who have received a third dose or those who have completed the second dose at least 14 days ago and within 90 days. Those who are unvaccinated or have only received the first dose must quarantine for 10 days if confirmed positive. Fully vaccinated individuals who have had close contact with a confirmed case are exempt from quarantine but will be subject to passive monitoring, which includes restrictions on using multi-use facilities and refraining from private gatherings for 7 days. Those who do not meet the full vaccination criteria, such as unvaccinated individuals, will be classified as close contacts and must self-quarantine for 7 days. The quarantine period for overseas arrivals will remain 10 days until the 3rd of next month according to current overseas entry management policies. The government plans to adjust quarantine guidelines for overseas arrivals in early next month.

On the 25th, when the highest number of new COVID-19 cases, 8,571, was recorded, the COVID-19 situation room monitor at Songpa District Office in Seoul displayed figures including confirmed cases and deaths. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Q. What is the fatality rate of the Omicron variant and the effect of vaccination?

A. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, a comparative analysis was conducted on confirmed cases of Delta and Omicron variants in Korea to assess the severity of Omicron. The fatality rate of the Omicron variant was 0.16%, about one-fifth that of the Delta virus (0.8%). The infection prevention effect against Omicron decreases over time after the second dose, but the effect of preventing severe illness persists, and neutralizing antibodies increase after the third dose. Domestic studies show that neutralizing capacity against Omicron and Delta variants increased after the third dose. In adults vaccinated with Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines, those who received a third dose of Pfizer vaccine showed a 10.5 to 113.2-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against Omicron 2 to 4 weeks after vaccination compared to before the third dose.

Q. Can rapid antigen test results be trusted?

A. There is a possibility of false negatives and false positives in rapid antigen tests, so caution is necessary. Therefore, it is important for the elderly and those with underlying conditions to use the more accurate PCR test from the start to detect infected individuals as quickly as possible. Professor Lee Hyuk-min of Severance Hospital’s Department of Laboratory Medicine expressed concern, saying, "Omicron symptoms are mild, and many people may not realize they are infected," adding, "If a false negative occurs with a self-test kit, it could further spread Omicron."

Q. Are there measures to prepare for the surge in home treatment patients?

A. With the quarantine period for fully vaccinated confirmed cases shortened from 10 to 7 days, the home treatment period during isolation will also be reduced to 7 days starting from the 26th. Additionally, the current 2 to 3 health monitoring sessions will be eased to 1 to 2 sessions, depending on the spread of Omicron and quarantine conditions. The medical and management infrastructure for home treatment will also be expanded. Plans are being made to designate additional management medical institutions by city and province to prepare for up to 20,000 daily confirmed cases (maximum manageable capacity of 110,000). The number of management medical institutions will be expanded to over 400 by the end of this month. To facilitate smooth face-to-face medical care for patients, budgets will be provided for equipment purchases and pathway separation, aiming to increase outpatient treatment centers to 90 by the end of February.