[K Reporter’s Home Treatment Diary] COVID-19 Positive… "Hospital Bed Allocation Is Difficult"

On the evening of the 13th, the COVID-19 self-test kit showed two red lines, indicating a positive result.
/Photo by Kim Daehyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] On the evening of the 13th, on my way home, I felt feverish and chills. My nose was runny and I couldn't stop sneezing. Suddenly, I couldn't taste food properly. Since the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 7,000 for the first time on the 8th, a wave of anxiety that it might be COVID-19 overwhelmed me. As soon as I arrived home, I avoided talking with my family and locked my door.

Since the testing center was closed late at night, I took out a self-test kit purchased from a pharmacy and tested myself. Two red lines appeared, indicating 'positive.' Suddenly, my mind went blank. I had never been notified as a close contact, and it had been more than two weeks since my second vaccine dose. Early the next day, I took a PCR test and was confirmed positive on the 15th. Home treatment began.

After Confirmation, 'Home Treatment'... Fully Vaccinated and Negative Contacts Under 'Passive Monitoring'

"As you know, (these days) home treatment is the first step after confirmation. You know it's difficult to get a hospital bed. So you have to stay at home." (District Office Public Health Center staff)

A few hours after receiving the PCR confirmation text, the district public health center contacted me. They asked if my family members were isolating together in the same house and if they could isolate elsewhere. Since it was said that confirmed and unconfirmed individuals living in the same house cannot go outside, my parents stayed at a nearby relative's house. So, I was left alone at home.

From the 11th, when symptoms began, until the 13th, contacts I had close contact with were also contacted. My parents and acquaintances were placed under 'passive monitoring.' When switched to passive monitoring, no separate isolation is required, and daily activities such as commuting to work or school are allowed. This applies only if the PCR test is negative and two weeks have passed since vaccination completion. After 6-7 days from the last contact, if a PCR test is negative again, monitoring is lifted. During this period, unnecessary outings should be personally avoided. My acquaintances lived anxiously, unable to distinguish whether minor physical reactions were COVID-19 symptoms or ordinary allergic reactions.

On the 16th, a COVID-19 health management set was delivered at a district office in Seoul. It contained medicines, an oxygen saturation monitor, a thermometer, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant for cleaning. / Photo by Kim Daehyun

Twice Daily Remote Health Monitoring

At around 12:07 a.m. on the 16th, a large home treatment kit arrived at my doorstep. It contained ten blue protective long-sleeve gowns, four face shields, masks, sanitary gloves, and self-test kits. Around 1 p.m. that day, I received a text from the district home treatment team asking me to measure and report my temperature and oxygen saturation twice daily, morning and afternoon. However, essential items such as an oxygen saturation monitor, thermometer, and antipyretics were missing from the box. I received the kit again three hours later. Then, I installed the Living Treatment Center app and recorded health information under the home treatment section. The staff checked my health status by phone and advised me to drink hot water frequently and ventilate the room regularly.

In the early stage of confirmation, I experienced high fever fluctuating between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle pain. I took cold medicine three times and often slept wearing multiple layers of clothing. These symptoms subsided within 2-3 days. However, my sense of smell and taste did not return for a while. I mostly ordered delivery or ate simple prepared meals. Occasionally, my family, who was isolating, left food at the front door. To prepare for the possibility that my parents might have to return home, I avoided touching household items as much as possible and frequently sprayed disinfectant.

Recovered Health but... Close Contact Acquaintance Also Eventually Confirmed Positive

Living Treatment Center App Health Information Record Screen

On the 20th, my physical condition had mostly recovered. Health monitoring ended the previous day. If no abnormal symptoms occur until the end of isolation, home treatment is automatically completed.

Last year around this time, I was classified as a close contact and quarantined at home for two weeks. At that time, I tested negative and completed quarantine without infection. This time, the situation was worse. Although I had completed the second vaccine dose, I was confirmed positive without knowing the infection route. Above all, on the morning of this day, I received news that an acquaintance who had contact with me earlier tested positive, making it hard to escape the guilt that I might have transmitted the virus.

The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen. On the 20th, the third day since the suspension of phased daily recovery and return to social distancing, nearly 1,000 severe COVID-19 patients were reported. Due to the increase in severe cases, intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients have already reached their limit, and the occupancy rate of severe COVID-19 beds in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, reached 87.8%, approaching 90%. As of midnight that day, the number of home treatment patients rose to 32,071. The COVID-19 nightmare continues into its second year.