S. Korea to hold nationwide serum screening to gather data on COVID-19
- 4 years ago
정부, 전 국민 대상 표본 혈청검사 계획...2차 유행 대비
As part of the ongoing efforts to track of the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea, as well as to prevent a possible reoccurrence of the pandemic, the South Korean government has announced plans for nationwide serum screening.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
When a virus enters our bodies, our immune systems create antibodies to fight it and hopefully kill it.
If the antibodies win, you recover and become immune.
If we relate this to the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea, which has seen thousands of confirmed patients, there is the possibility for antibodies to have been formed not only among them, but also others who've experienced no symptoms.
With that in mind, the South Korean government has decided to hold a nationwide serum test to check the effectiveness of current quarantine measures and keep track of how the public could overcome the virus if it pops up again.
"We are planning to enforce a serum screening system to gather data on the infection trend and the immunity level of the public against COVID-19."
Since it's practically impossible to test all citizens, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will link the screening to the national nutrition survey, which tests 10,000 citizens from 192 regions nationwide.
They will be in the form of blood-tests at community health centers.
The government expects 71 percent of participants to agree to take part in the screening program.
With Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province being the hardest hit areas in South Korea, the government plans to proceed with screening in those areas first.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
As part of the ongoing efforts to track of the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea, as well as to prevent a possible reoccurrence of the pandemic, the South Korean government has announced plans for nationwide serum screening.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
When a virus enters our bodies, our immune systems create antibodies to fight it and hopefully kill it.
If the antibodies win, you recover and become immune.
If we relate this to the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea, which has seen thousands of confirmed patients, there is the possibility for antibodies to have been formed not only among them, but also others who've experienced no symptoms.
With that in mind, the South Korean government has decided to hold a nationwide serum test to check the effectiveness of current quarantine measures and keep track of how the public could overcome the virus if it pops up again.
"We are planning to enforce a serum screening system to gather data on the infection trend and the immunity level of the public against COVID-19."
Since it's practically impossible to test all citizens, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will link the screening to the national nutrition survey, which tests 10,000 citizens from 192 regions nationwide.
They will be in the form of blood-tests at community health centers.
The government expects 71 percent of participants to agree to take part in the screening program.
With Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province being the hardest hit areas in South Korea, the government plans to proceed with screening in those areas first.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.