Except for high-risk groups, rapid testing before PCR… 3 ways depending on location

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Until now, anyone suspected of Corona could receive a diagnostic test at a screening clinic, but it is different in the medical system tailored to Omicron.

According to the government standards, people who are not subject to diagnostic tests must first undergo a rapid test as seen earlier. Reporter Jeong Da-eun explains in detail what kind of difference there is depending on the test location.

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It is the case of going to the screening laboratory first.

Receive a rapid antigen test kit from the laboratory staff and collect a sample by putting a cotton swab into the nose while the manager is watching.

You only need to insert it about 1.5 cm inside the nostril.

After that, you can put it in the test solution and wait for the result, and the result will come out in 15 to 30 minutes.

The cost is free, and if you test positive here, you will receive a PCR test directly at the screening clinic.

The following are local hospitals such as respiratory clinics.

It is limited to respiratory clinics designated by the government on the website of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and local hospitals that have participated in diagnostic tests.

Medical staff use professional rapid antigen test kits.

The sample is collected by piercing it deeper into the examiner's nostril, so it is more accurate than the screening laboratory kit.

The examination is free, but you have to pay a fee of 5,000 won.

If you test positive here, you should have a PCR test at the clinic or nearby screening laboratory.

Lastly, you buy a self-test kit at a pharmacy and the tester performs the test at home.

The price of the kit is about 8,000 won to 16,000 won, and if the test is positive, you can take the kit to the screening clinic and submit it for PCR test.

For those who have not been vaccinated, if they have been tested at a screening clinic or respiratory clinic, they can receive a negative confirmation with the test date and negative result and use it as a quarantine pass within 24 hours.

However, if you test yourself at home, even if it is negative, it will not be recognized as a quarantine pass.