COVID-19 Domestic Patient No. 7, 22 Fully Recovered... Discharge Imminent (Update)

A notice prohibiting visits and controlling access is posted at the main building of Seoul National University Hospital. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Two additional confirmed patients of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea are about to be discharged after being declared fully recovered on the 15th.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated at the regular briefing that "the 7th patient (born in 1991, Korean nationality) and the 22nd patient (born in 1973, Korean nationality) tested negative twice consecutively in tests conducted after their symptoms improved," and "they will be released from isolation as of today."

COVID-19 patients are released from isolation if 48 hours have passed since their symptoms disappeared and two consecutive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests conducted at 24-hour intervals show negative results. This constitutes a full recovery from COVID-19. Additionally, the attending medical staff make the final decision on discharge considering the patient's underlying conditions and aftereffects.

If these two patients are discharged, the total number of discharged patients among the 28 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea will increase to nine.

The 7th patient returned from Wuhan, China on the 23rd of last month, was confirmed positive on the 30th, and has been receiving isolation treatment at Seoul Medical Center. The 22nd patient is a secondary infection case, being a family member of the 16th patient (born in 1977, Korean nationality), who was confirmed positive after traveling to Thailand and other places. The 22nd patient was confirmed positive on the 6th and was transferred to Chosun University Hospital.