COVID-19 screening center models in South Korea

Abstract

In a recent report, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) introduced South Korea’s measures to manage COVID-19 as role model for the world. Screening centers serve as frontiers for preventing community transmission of infectious diseases. COVID-19 screening centers in Korea operate 24 h a day, always open for individuals with suspected COVID-19 symptoms. South Korea concentrated COVID-19 screening centers around cities with high population density. Advanced screening centers (models C, D, and E) proved more effective and efficient in the prevention of COVID-19 than the traditional screening centers (models A and B). Particularly, screening centers at Incheon Airport in South Korea prevent transmission through imported cases effectively. It will be important elsewhere, as in South Korea, to establish an infectious disease delivery system that can lead to 'Test-Treat-Track' using an adequate model of screening centers.

The Lived Experiences of COVID-19 Patients in South Korea: A Qualitative Study

“…In addition, based on previous MERS experience, laws related to the disclosure of personal information to manage infectious diseases are being amended in South Korea [ 21 ]. While Korea’s so-called “K-Disinfection” model has been rated as a successful disinfection system, people have raised concerns about the excessive disclosure of personal information in the early days of the outbreak [ 3 , 21 , 22 ]. The participants felt embarrassed and were angered by the violation of their privacy and human rights during epidemiological investigations and the quarantine process.…”

“…With the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnoses and deaths increasing rapidly worldwide [ 1 , 2 ], COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization, has brought a tremendous amount of shock and changes to all aspects of societies worldwide—spanning from politics to economics—so much so that the time following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic is now called the “post-COVID-19 era” [ 3 , 4 ]. Despite aggressive measures implemented in countries worldwide to prevent the massive spread of COVID-19, the virus is anticipated to be difficult to eradicate until the development of effective vaccines and therapeutic agents [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…South Korea was able to halt the massive spread of COVID-19 nationwide through conducting intensive contact tracing, implementing timely diagnosis and treatment, and promoting national physical distancing campaigns [ 11 ]. However, although the so-called “K-Disinfection model” gained worldwide attention, it is speculated that the excessive collection and disclosure of personal information involved in these aggressive disinfection measures have had a detrimental impact on COVID-19 patients [ 3 ]. As South Korea is a high-context society that shares extensive information and emphasis on relationships [ 12 ], COVID-19 can entail significant physical, psychological, and social meaning beyond simply contracting an illness.…”

SARS-CoV-2 Drive/Walk-Thru screening centers in Colombia: The CoVIDA project

“…Low and middle-income countries can use the Drive/Walkthrough model as a cost-effective and innovative solution strategy to mitigate the pandemic 23 .…”

Together with the public health world

“…In this issue of the Journal, we share the experiences of governmental responses like shelter in place orders, closure of non-essential businesses, limiting public gatherings, and mandatory mask wearing in the United States [2] and COVID-19 screening centers in South Korea, as frontiers for preventing community transmission of infectious diseases [3]. We want to examine the core of controversies related to civil liberties and health protection strategies.…”