Surge in COVID-19 Hospitalizations... Whooping Cough and Mycoplasma Also Spreading

Omicron KP.3 Variant Spread
Whooping Cough Patients Double in 3 Weeks

The number of patients hospitalized due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is rapidly increasing. Whooping cough and Mycoplasma pneumonia infections are also spreading simultaneously, requiring caution.

On the 26th, marking the official start of the summer vacation season, Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 departure hall is bustling with crowds heading overseas for travel. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 27th, the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients peaked in the first week of February this year and then decreased, but increased from 63 in the fourth week of June to 91 in the first week of July, 145 in the second week of July, and 225 in the third week of July. This represents a 3.6-fold increase over the past four weeks.

The health authorities downgraded the COVID-19 infectious disease classification from level 2 to level 4 in August last year, stopping full surveillance and monitoring positive cases through sample surveillance at 220 hospital-level medical institutions. Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in this year's sample surveillance institutions, 11,069 were reported, with 64.9% aged 65 or older, 18.5% aged 50-64, and 10.2% aged 19-49.

The recent domestic surge is driven by the Omicron KP.3 variant, which is spreading globally. The detection rate of the previously prevalent JN.1 variant in the third week of July was 19.5%, down 39.8 percentage points compared to June, while the detection rate of the KP.3 variant was 39.8%, up 27.78 percentage points from June. Although the KP.3 variant has strong immune evasion characteristics, there have been no reports linking it to increased transmissibility or severity.

Jiyoungmi, director of the KDCA, stated, "We will respond to COVID-19 occurrences through continuous variant monitoring alongside patient trend analysis, focused promotion of preventive measures in vulnerable facilities such as nursing homes, and rapid epidemiological investigations in case of cluster outbreaks." She added, "We plan to introduce new vaccines effective against circulating variants and start vaccinations in October."

Whooping cough, characterized by paroxysmal coughing, is also spreading mainly among children and adolescents. The number of reported cases in the third week of July was 3,170, nearly double the 1,604 cases reported in the fourth week of June.

Whooping cough is a respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella bacteria, named for its symptom of coughing lasting about 100 days. The incubation period averages 7 to 10 days, and it is characterized by coughing lasting more than 14 days accompanied by a "whooping" sound, spasms, and vomiting.

Regarding Mycoplasma pneumonia infection, an epidemic alert has been in effect since the 24th of last month. The number of hospitalized patients decreased from 641 in the fourth week of June to 573 in the first week of July and 567 in the second week, but surged again to 738 in the third week of July. This respiratory infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma pneumonia bacteria presents clinical symptoms similar to a cold, such as fever, headache, runny nose, and sore throat, but unlike a cold that lasts about a week, symptoms persist for about 20 days.

Director Ji urged, "During summer, the use of air conditioning can reduce indoor ventilation, and increased contact among people at summer vacation spots can create an environment conducive to the spread of respiratory infectious diseases." She requested, "Please get the whooping cough vaccine on time and follow respiratory infection prevention guidelines such as handwashing, practicing cough etiquette, wearing masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms, and ensuring adequate indoor ventilation."