[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of severe COVID-19 patients receiving 'Remdesivir' treatment in South Korea has increased to 19.
The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) stated in a regular briefing on the 4th, "As of noon today, Remdesivir treatment has been completed for 19 severe COVID-19 patients receiving care at 14 hospitals nationwide."
The number of patients treated with Remdesivir was 13 by noon the previous day, but increased by 6 since then. This means that about 63% of the 30 severe COVID-19 patients are receiving Remdesivir treatment. All severe patients are aged 50 or older.
The government imported Remdesivir through a 'special import' procedure and began supplying it from the 1st. Remdesivir is an antiviral drug developed by the U.S. company Gilead Sciences as an Ebola treatment, and has been confirmed to be effective in treating COVID-19.
The standard treatment consists of six 10ml injections over five days, but it can be extended for another five days if necessary. The CDCH said, "Since the patients have not yet completed the five-day treatment period, it is too early to determine whether their condition has improved," adding, "We will summarize and announce the treatment effects after five days."
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