COVID-19 Pediatric Patients Nearly Triple in Two Weeks

Disease Control Headquarters Plans to Expand COVID-19 Task Force Operations

The number of pediatric COVID-19 patients has nearly tripled in the past two weeks.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Korean Pediatric Hospital Association on the 14th, the number of pediatric COVID-19 patients in 42 member hospitals increased from 387 during July 22-26 to 1,080 during August 5-9, a 179.1% rise. This represents a 2.79-fold increase over two weeks from late July to early August.

By region, the Chungcheong area saw an increase from 54 to 301 patients, a 457.4% rise. The Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon metropolitan area increased by 213.7%, the Honam region by 137.1%, and the Yeongnam region by 80.3%.

Choi Yong-jae, president of the Korean Pediatric Hospital Association, emphasized, "Most pediatric COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, which makes the virus spread more easily. Especially, patients with heart disease or diabetes are high-risk groups, so if confirmed positive, they must visit a hospital for additional tests or management."

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has been decreasing since February but is now rising again due to the emergence of the new Omicron variant KP.3. The agency plans to monitor the situation closely for any disruptions in medical services and patient trends, while expanding the existing COVID-19 task force to control the outbreak.