South Korea sees sixfold surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations amid summer resurgence
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 09, 2024 1 month, 1 week, 13 hours, 20 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Skyrocket in South Korea
South Korea is experiencing a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, with cases surging sixfold over the past month. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that the number of patients admitted to hospitals across the country for COVID-19 has risen sharply, driven by a resurgence of the virus during the summer months. This recent wave has health authorities on high alert as they brace for the continued impact of the outbreak.
South Korea sees sixfold surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations amid summer resurgence
A Rapid Climb in Hospitalizations
According to the KDCA, 862 patients were hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first week of August, marking the highest number of hospital admissions since early February. This figure is a significant jump from the 148 hospitalizations recorded in the second week of July. The number continued to rise, reaching 226 in the third week of July and nearly doubling to 475 by the last week of the month.
Local
COVID-19 News reports also indicate that outpatient visits at hospitals and clinics for various respiratory infections including COVID-19 are also increasing at high levels.
Health officials anticipate that this upward trend will persist throughout August, as the country grapples with the latest wave of infections. The surge is largely attributed to the KP.3.1.1 subvariant of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, which now accounts for 45.5 percent of all COVID-19 cases in South Korea as of late July.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
The data reveals that the majority of those hospitalized in the recent surge are older adults. Of the inpatients recorded this month, 65.2 percent are aged 65 and older, while 18.1 percent fall within the 50-64 age group. Despite the increase in hospitalizations, more than 90 percent of the patients are reported to have mild symptoms, indicating that the country's healthcare system is currently able to manage the situation effectively.
However, given the vulnerability of the elderly and other high-risk groups, the South Korean government is taking proactive measures to ensure that the situation remains under control. This includes ramping up monitoring efforts for these populations and bolstering the supply of essential medical resources, such as medications and testing kits.
Government Response and Upcoming Vaccination Campaign
In response to the rising case numbers, the government has announced plans to resume its vaccination campaign in October, with a focus on high-risk groups. These individuals will receive the vaccine free of charge as part of the government's efforts to curb the spread of the virus and protect those most at risk. (How effective and safe these vaccines are is a big question!)
KDCA Chief Dr Jee Young-mee emphasized the importance of adhering to basic hygiene practices, particularly during
the summer months when the risk of respiratory infections is heightened. She pointed out that poorly ventilated indoor spaces and increased close contact during vacation periods can contribute to the spread of the virus.
"The risk of respiratory infections rises in summer as indoor places are not fully ventilated, and people-to-people contacts can grow during vacation. It is crucial to abide by basic hygiene rules," Dr Jee Young-mee stated.
As South Korea navigates this latest wave of COVID-19 infections, the government's focus remains on safeguarding the health of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable. The situation underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness as the country continues to battle the ever-evolving challenge of the pandemic.
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