Covid 19 test, in-person medical check for Covid patients, and prescribing medication are all solved at once

The Korean government announced on August 2nd that they have designated 9,314 One-stop medical institutions so that people with respiratory symptoms can receive tests, medical check, and treatment at once at local hospitals and clinics for Covid treatment. The government plans are to operate 10,000 one-stop medical institution for COVID-19.

As the number of Covid patients are gradually increasing, as of August, the Korean government reconfirmed the government's corona-related policy.

◆ Securing the One-stop medical institution

The government is expanding access to medical centers by increasing the number of One-stop medical institutions with the goal of 10,000 to prepare for a second wave of COVID-19 and to quickly prevent the aggravation of high-risk groups.

The One-Stop Medical Institution is a respiratory patient treatment center that integrates testing for COVID-19, prescribing medications, and in-person treatment for Covid patients. As of August 2nd, 13,593 respiratory patient treatment centers and 9,314 One-stop medical institutions has been secured.

In addition, the government is encouraging respiratory patient treatment centers designated in each city/province to prescribe medications and perform in-person treatment.

◆ Guide to reorganization of home treatment

As of August 1st, the government reorganized the home treatment system so that home therapists don’t have to separate the intensive care group and the general care group, but can receive in-person treatment quickly if they have symptoms.

This action is to strengthen the medical response system to receive early treatment through quick in-person treatment in case of symptoms. Accordingly, the government is promoting the guidance so that anyone can easily find the One-stop medical institution that provides in-person treatment.

In particular, it is possible to search for the ‘one-stop medical institution’ of the respiratory patient treatment center for prescription and rapid examination on the portal site (ncov.mohw.go.kr) and the life safety map.

Also, public health centers, triage room are distributing guidance which contains a list of medical centers.

To prevent blind spots from occurring at nighttime and on public holidays, 172 medical consultation centers that can provide 24 hours non-face-to-face treatment are continuously being operated.

Policy briefing (www.korea.kr)