South Korea has been witnessing a surge in coronavirus infections since February when majority of the cases were reported in the city of Daegu, which is believed to be the centre of the country’s outbreak.
As demand for Coronavirus testing rises across the country, South Korea has come up with an innovative way of testing for the virus.
South Korea is now using drive-thru clinics to test patients for Coronavirus!
Inspired by the drive-thru counters at McDonalds and Starbucks, these testing facilities are the first of its kind in South Korea.
There are more than 500 stations that have been set up with 100,000 people who have been screened across the nation.
The drivers will pull in to one of the testing stations that are usually stationed at a parking lot where medical workers will ask them about their travel history, check for any symptoms and take their temperatures.
Only those who are at risk of infection will undergo nose and throat swabs.
The entire process takes around five to ten minutes, with both passengers and drivers remaining in their cars the entire time.
Then, they will receive their results within three days via text message.
This method is said to be much more efficient and safer during screening as it limits the virus infections.
It takes up lesser time compared to being tested at hospitals or clinics.
Besides taking up lesser time, it also limits the exposure of frontline workers and people to the virus.
This means means public health facility will not be contaminated and suspected patients would not infect each other.
However, the downside of the drive-thru testing is having to carry it out in the cold.
The medical workers in their protective suits might face difficulties since they can't go to the toilet or drink water while they're on duty.
So far, the number of confirmed cases in South Korea has risen to 6,088 with a death toll of 42.
A majority of the cases have been identified in the city of Daegu and neighbouring North Gyeongsang province with around 60 per cent of the total cases linked to religious group of Shincheonji Church.
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