Busan City Strengthens Promotion of Respiratory Infection Prevention Guidelines

Guidelines for Preventing Respiratory Infections Including COVID-19 in Medical Institutions and Multi-Use Facilities

Distribution of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Outbreak Warning Posters and Related Materials

The city of Busan is strengthening the promotion of respiratory infectious disease prevention guidelines as the number of patients with respiratory infections, such as COVID-19 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, continues to rise.

Respiratory Infectious Disease Prevention Guidelines Poster.

According to the Infectious Disease Portal of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of COVID-19 inpatients nationwide detected through sample surveillance has been increasing, with 91 in week 27, 148 in week 28, 226 in week 29, 475 in week 30, and 861 in week 31 this year.

For Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, the number of inpatients nationwide has also been on the rise, with 573 in week 27, 567 in week 28, 739 in week 29, 882 in week 30, and 897 in week 31. Unlike previous years, the outbreak is continuing into the summer.

In preparation for the spread of COVID-19 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, the city requested on July 23 that all medical institutions and multi-use facilities in the 16 districts and counties comply with respiratory infection prevention guidelines.

This is due to concerns that the use of air conditioning during the heatwave is hindering indoor ventilation, which could lead to the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, particularly in medical institutions and multi-use facilities.

Additionally, since June 24, when a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection outbreak advisory was issued, the city has provided outbreak advisory posters and related materials to the 16 districts and counties, urging them to actively use these resources to help prevent the spread of respiratory infections.

Furthermore, the city is informing citizens about management measures for patients with respiratory infections.

These measures recommend that, in the case of COVID-19, individuals should rest at home and avoid contact with others until 24 hours have passed since major symptoms have improved; and for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, individuals should rest at home and avoid contact with others until acute symptoms are gone.

The city plans to continue monitoring the trend of respiratory infection cases and will implement tailored responses according to the spread.

Lee Sora, Director of the Citizen Health Bureau, stated, "The occurrence of respiratory infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has been increasing recently," and added, "We ask citizens to visit medical institutions wearing a mask if they develop a fever or respiratory symptoms, and to comply with respiratory infection prevention guidelines. We especially urge high-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions, to take extra precautions."