How South Korea which was hit hard by Covid-19 became one of Asia’s success stories

Team Udayavani, May 4, 2020, 11:22 AM IST

Even though, South Korea experienced one of the largest initial outbreaks of Covid-19, it is now one of the only countries in the world that has brought Covid-19 outbreak under control

It is said that the government focused on aggressive testing and contact tracing to contain community transmission and established a strict system to protect healthcare workers. Also, the country used a government app that tracks the location of all new visitors to the country and people who violate quarantine have to wear a location tracking bracelet.

The country procured high-quality diagnostic kits based on a tightly coordinated transfer of public-funded technology to private manufacturers, and quickly established a mass testing system. The country now has more than 600 testing sites, including 80 drive-through centres, capable of testing a total of 20,000 people per day. As part of making tests freely available, drive-through clinics were set up throughout the country.

Also, South Korea started aggressively contact tracing, finding people who had interacted with a confirmed case, isolating and testing them too.When someone tested positive, authorities would send out an alert to those living or working nearby.

Currently it is not enforcing stay at home orders and most businesses are open. People are out on the streets, but they have to get their temperature taken before being let into events or buildings.

On April 15, thousands came out to vote in the National Assembly elections and they were given plastic gloves, told to stand apart, and temperatures were checked before voters entered polling stations.

Also, Subway stations have been meticulously cleaned and wiped down with disinfection sprays. Anyone arriving in the country now has to undergo 14 days of quarantine, so its unlikely new cases will be brought in.

The rigid measures adopted by the country has allowed it to effectively control the spread of Covid-19