COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach Highest Level This Year, Government Busy Preparing Response Measures

Number of Hospitalized Patients Surges Since Late June... 6-Fold Increase in 2 Weeks
Plan to Secure Beds in Public Hospitals and Establish Cooperation System
Students Advised to Refrain from Attending School if Exhibiting COVID-19-Like Symptoms

As the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients has surged to the highest level this year, the government expects the COVID-19 outbreak to continue for the time being and is preparing response measures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 14th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, led by Minister Cho Kyu-hong, reviewed the COVID-19 outbreak trends and discussed response measures together with related ministries. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients began to increase from the end of June this year, and the number of hospitalized patients, which was 226 in the third week of last month, surged to 1,357 in the second week of this month.

The increase in hospitalized patients is showing a trend of doubling on a weekly basis. Including mild to moderate cases, the number of COVID-19 patients visiting emergency rooms also increased 5.2 times, from 2,240 in June to 11,627 in July.

To respond to this situation, the government plans to secure available hospital beds mainly in public hospitals and establish a cooperation system for the admission of COVID-19 patients. In particular, in the event of critical cases, a joint response situation room will be set up at the National Medical Center, and additional dedicated treatment beds for severe patients will be designated if necessary.

The KDCA is preparing to conduct simultaneous influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations in October, and the Ministry of Education plans to recommend that students refrain from attending school if they exhibit COVID-19-like symptoms in preparation for the second semester opening.