COVID-19 screening center models in South Korea

J Public Health Policy. 2021 Mar;42(1):15-26. doi: 10.1057/s41271-020-00258-7. Epub 2020 Oct 21.

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; Drive-through screening center; Screening center; South Korea; Testing; Walking-through screening center.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • SARS-CoV-2