Sample Testing in Suwon's 'AnShim Car Screening Clinic' Takes Just 7 Minutes

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City's drive-through screening clinic, the 'Suwon AnShim Car Screening Clinic,' is alleviating citizens' anxiety about COVID-19 with rapid sample collection that takes less than 10 minutes.

At 12:21 p.m. on March 10, a passenger vehicle entered the parking lot of Suwon Sports and Culture Center, where the 'Suwon AnShim Car Screening Clinic' is located. The driver received a medical questionnaire at the information desk, parked the car, and checked the relevant items.

Medical staff then reviewed the questionnaire, asked several questions, and decided whether to collect a sample. The driver had the sample collected, the vehicle disinfected, and left the clinic. The entire process took just 7 minutes from arrival.

After the test, a citizen said, "My throat felt scratchy and I seemed to have some symptoms, so I came to the screening clinic," and added, "It's convenient to be tested without getting out of the car."

At the Suwon AnShim Car Screening Clinic, which the city began operating on March 9, the process from medical questionnaire to sample collection takes 6 to 7 minutes.

At a general screening clinic, testing takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes when there are no people waiting, but using the AnShim Car Screening Clinic can save more than 10 minutes.

The Suwon AnShim Car Screening Clinic is a 'drive-through' type clinic where people can safely complete medical questionnaires, check-ups, sample collection, and vehicle disinfection without leaving their cars.

The screening targets Suwon residents. Only those who came alone, without passengers, can be tested.

Passengers can be tested while remaining in the driver's seat with the window opened just 5 centimeters, making it far more convenient than testing at public health centers or hospital screening clinics.

Not everyone can have a sample collected. The decision to collect a sample is made after the medical questionnaire and check-up confirm overseas travel history, contact with confirmed cases, and related symptoms.

Over the two days of March 9 and 10, 30 people visited the Suwon AnShim Car Screening Clinic, and 24 of them had samples collected after check-ups.

It operates on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until April 7. The city will decide whether to extend operations depending on the situation.

A city official said, "People can be tested more conveniently than using a general screening clinic," and added, "Since testing can be done without contact with other people, the risk of infection is also reduced."

Citizens who cannot drive can use the screening clinics established at the health centers of four districts and at Gyeonggi Province Medical Center Suwon Hospital, Catholic University St. Vincent's Hospital, Dong Suwon Hospital, and Ajou University Hospital.

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province operates the 'Gyeonggi Province Drive-Through Screening Center' in Parking Lot 4 of Suwon World Cup Stadium. Testing is available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The usage method is the same as the Suwon AnShim Car Screening Clinic.

For inquiries about using the Suwon AnShim Car Screening Clinic, contact Yeongtong-gu Health Center (031-228-2687).

To be tested at the Gyeonggi Province Drive-Through Screening Center, advance reservation is required by calling 031-120.