Jungnang-gu Ends Operation of COVID-19 Screening Clinics

Operation of Jungnang-gu Screening Clinic Ends on December 31... PCR Tests to Be Conducted at General Medical Institutions from New Year... Costs Borne by Patients Except for Free Test Eligible Groups

Jungnang-gu (District Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) will end the operation of COVID-19 screening clinics as of December 31, 2023, following the reorganization of the COVID-19 response system.

This is to transition to a general medical system. Going forward, public health centers will normalize all functions and focus more on promoting residents' health and continuous infectious disease management. However, considering the possibility of an increase in confirmed cases and the simultaneous outbreak of respiratory infections during winter, the COVID-19 crisis level will be maintained at a cautionary stage until stabilization.

From January 1 next year, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests will be available at general medical institutions instead of public health centers, and except for those eligible for free PCR tests, individuals will bear the cost of testing.

Those eligible for free testing include ▲oral antiviral treatment target groups (patients aged 12 and over with underlying conditions or immunocompromised individuals), ▲persons aged 60 and above, ▲emergency room and intensive care unit inpatients, ▲high-risk inpatients, ▲residents of nursing hospitals, psychiatric medical institutions, and nursing facilities, and ▲resident caregivers of inpatients and residents eligible for free testing.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “We will never forget the hard work of all medical staff and employees who have worked tirelessly to protect the health of our residents during the fierce battle against COVID-19,” and added, “We ask residents to continue following personal hygiene rules and remain cautious about infectious diseases. We will continue to do our best to promote the health of our residents.”