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From today (26th), the new quarantine system in response to Omicron is applied to 4 places including Gwangju. The key is to reduce the PCR test and expand the rapid antigen test, but the government postponed the nationwide expansion until the Lunar New Year holiday.
Reporter Kim Deok-hyun will explain why.
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The new Omicron response system begins in four places: Gwangju and Jeonnam, and Pyeongtaek and Anseong in Gyeonggi-do.
Unless you are in a high-risk group such as the elderly over 60, even if you have symptoms, you must first receive a rapid antigen test at a respiratory clinic or public health center.
A PCR test can only be performed when it is positive.
The Respiratory Clinic also conducts PCR tests for patients who test positive for rapid antigen, and even manages home treatment.
Local hospitals participate in treatment and treatment, but the government is only considering expanding this system to the whole country after the construction holidays.
The main reason is that local hospitals are hesitant to participate.
It is necessary to separate the movement of people who come for diagnostic tests and general patients, and to have a quarantine system such as ventilation, but the government's guidelines and support are not clear.
[Park Myung-ha / Mayor of Seoul City Council: (Neighborhood hospital) It is small, so it is in one of several shopping complexes. Considering the flow problem at the entrance and the lack of space to wait for suspected patients... .]
We also need to review the 'stigma effect' and loss compensation issues caused by the treatment of confirmed patients.
I am concerned about the management of home therapists in the four pilot regions right now.
As a result of SBS coverage, these local hospitals complained of difficulties in responding to emergency nighttime, so the government requested 119, but the formation of a dedicated team for 119 was not completed, so for the time being, the metropolitan respiratory clinic decided to take charge of the night response.