[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] It was recently revealed that a citizen in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, who complained of eye pain during self-quarantine, suffered significant vision loss due to the quarantine authorities' negligent response.
According to the Tongyeong Public Health Center on the 26th, citizen A was classified as a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case and was notified to self-quarantine on October 27 of last year.
Starting from the next day, the 28th, he complained of eye pain and headaches. However, the health center only prescribed a two-day supply of painkillers based on the public health doctor's prescription.
On the same day, A also requested a non-face-to-face consultation at a clinic where he had outpatient records for accurate treatment. However, it was reported that he was told an accurate diagnosis was difficult at that time.
Subsequently, the health center prescribed eye-related medication again on the 30th and delivered it, but A's condition did not improve. Eventually, on the 31st, A was transferred to a hospital and diagnosed with optic nerve damage caused by increased intraocular pressure.
It is reported that A is still suffering from worsening vision, threatening his livelihood. He is demanding compensation for this.
However, the health center stated that this does not fall under self-quarantine loss compensation and that compensation is difficult. A Tongyeong Public Health Center official told Yonhap News, "We inquired with Gyeongnam Province and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, but received a response that no appropriate measures exist."
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