Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Receives Report from Disease Control Agency
"Simultaneous Outbreak of COVID-19 and Flu Increases Burden on Healthcare System"
Comprehensive Response from Prevention to Post-Treatment
On the 20th, citizens lined up to receive influenza (flu) vaccinations at the Korea Health Management Association Seoul Western Branch in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where the free influenza vaccination program is being conducted. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government has decided to pour all available resources into minimizing the influenza (flu) outbreak this winter. It has announced comprehensive measures covering everything from preventive vaccines to diagnostic tests and treatments. Since the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there is concern that if both infectious diseases spread simultaneously, the burden on the healthcare system could increase.
On the 21st, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters received a report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on measures to prepare for the simultaneous outbreak of COVID-19 and influenza this winter. The government believes that the possibility of a flu outbreak is lower than in the past due to heightened social interest in quarantine measures because of COVID-19. However, as cases of death following flu vaccination have recently been reported one after another, increasing public anxiety, the government has devised detailed countermeasures.
Regarding vaccines, after withdrawing some vaccines that had improper temperature management, free vaccinations have resumed, and the plan is to complete vaccinations for the remaining eligible recipients. So far, about 8.3 million people among the national vaccination targets have been vaccinated, which the government estimates to be just under half of the eligible population.
Kim Kang-lip, Chief Spokesperson of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare) Starting from mid-next month, the prescription of the antiviral drug Tamiflu will also be expanded. High-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals will be able to receive prescriptions covered by health insurance regardless of diagnostic results if they show suspected flu symptoms. Originally, health insurance coverage was only applied when an epidemic alert was issued. With health insurance coverage, the patient only needs to pay about 5,000 KRW (for adults). Depending on the epidemic situation, the scope of health insurance coverage may be further expanded.
Kim Kang-rip, the spokesperson for the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a briefing, "Due to efforts such as mask-wearing and social distancing, the early end of the influenza outbreak earlier this year, and a significant decrease in outbreaks in the Southern Hemisphere, the possibility of a large-scale outbreak this year is assessed to be low." However, he added, "If social distancing loosens, the possibility of an outbreak cannot be ruled out, and medical institutions where febrile patients gather could become places that facilitate the spread of COVID-19."
A diagnostic tool capable of simultaneously detecting COVID-19 and influenza will also be introduced by next month. The PCR method currently used to detect COVID-19 infection will be covered by health insurance. Additionally, plans are in place to provide extra personnel and facility support to screening clinics in regions where testing demand is increasing.
On the night of the 16th, the first weekend after social distancing was eased to Level 1, citizens were waiting to enter clubs and pojangmacha (outdoor food stalls) in the area near the Hongdae Festival Street in Mapo-gu, Seoul. High-Risk Facilities: First Violation of Quarantine Rules Leads to Closure and Fines
Clubs and Hunting Pojangmacha: Mandatory Ban on Dancing and Seat Movement Under Review
With the resumption of operations at high-risk facilities except for direct sales promotion centers under social distancing level 1, related ministries and local governments will conduct joint inspections for two weeks starting today. The inspections will target high-risk facilities such as clubs, karaoke rooms, indoor standing concert halls, and buffets, and in the metropolitan area, multi-use facilities subject to core quarantine rules such as restaurants and cafes (over 150㎡) will also be inspected.
To enhance accountability for quarantine, the government also considered expanding the 'One Strike Out' policy currently applied in some local governments like Seoul. Seoul City enforces a two-week closure and fines immediately upon the first violation of core quarantine rules by businesses, and local governments may apply similar measures depending on regional circumstances. Spokesperson Kim explained, "This is an additional measure that other cities and provinces can take depending on changes in the situation."
The health authorities mentioned that in countries with large-scale COVID-19 outbreaks overseas, quarantine rules such as banning dancing and ordering drinks and meals only at tables are being applied, suggesting that similar measures might be implemented domestically. This includes banning dancing and stage operations in clubs and mandating a prohibition on moving between seats or rooms in hunting pojangmacha.
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