Continuous Decrease in COVID-19 Cluster Outbreaks in Long-term Care Hospitals and Facilities
Decision Made Considering High 4th Dose Vaccination Rate and Ongoing Field Demands
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The temporarily permitted in-person visits at long-term care hospitals and facilities will be extended.
On the 20th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that, considering the quarantine situation and on-site demands, they have decided to extend in-person visits at long-term care hospitals and facilities.
Since the 30th of last month, the quarantine authorities have temporarily allowed in-person visits at infection-vulnerable long-term care hospitals and facilities until the 22nd of this month.
During the period when in-person visits were permitted, COVID-19 cluster outbreaks in long-term care hospitals and facilities have continuously decreased. Cluster outbreaks within long-term care hospitals and facilities, which numbered 131 in the third week of March, dropped to 3 in the second week of this month.
The high rate of the fourth vaccination dose in long-term care hospitals and facilities, as well as the ongoing demand for visits from guardians and residents, were also considered in this decision.
Additionally, the quarantine authorities decided to include "cases where vaccination is difficult due to adverse reactions" among the eligible visitors. For residents who fall under this category, the institution head will make a judgment after consulting the attending physician or contracted doctor, and visitors must submit a medical opinion letter. Previously, eligible visitors were residents who met vaccination criteria or those recently confirmed positive and released from isolation.
The number of visitors is limited to four or fewer per person but can be expanded depending on the conditions of the hospital or facility. Other existing visitation rules remain unchanged, including ▲prior reservation before visits ▲temperature checks during visits and prohibition of food consumption ▲ventilation for at least 15 minutes after visits.
The extension period for these in-person visits has not been specifically set. However, authorities explained that it may be expanded or suspended depending on future quarantine situations.
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