With the COVID Resurgence and M-Fox... "Significant Pressure on the Healthcare System"

"Patients Requiring Treatment at University Hospitals Sometimes Unable to Be Admitted"

As COVID-19 is resurging, Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital reported on the situation on the ground, stating, "There are cases where critically ill patients who must be treated at tertiary general hospitals or university hospitals are unable to be admitted."

On the 16th, Professor Lee appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and said, "Most patients receive treatment at secondary hospital levels, but there are likely invisible cases where severe and critically ill patients are not receiving the necessary treatment," adding, "It is true that the COVID-19 resurgence is putting considerable pressure on the system."

On the 14th, employees of the Infectious Disease Control Team at Gwangju Buk-gu Health Center are posting promotional materials containing personal hygiene guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the background of the COVID-19 resurgence, Professor Lee explained, "The outbreak was not large this winter, but immunity against COVID-19 has significantly waned," and added, "Moreover, with weakened immunity, the current spread of new variants like KP.2 and KP.3 has somewhat reduced the ability to respond, causing the outbreak to grow."

The COVID-19 resurgence is expected to peak by the end of this month. Professor Lee said, "The number of patients started to surge about 2 to 3 weeks ago," and continued, "Typically, a COVID-19 wave takes over a month to reach its peak, so it does not seem that we have reached the peak yet. It is expected that the peak will be around the end of August, about 1 to 2 weeks from now."

Regarding the MPOX (formerly monkeypox) outbreak, he stated, "More than 17,000 cases have occurred mainly in Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with over 600 deaths," and added, "Children are particularly vulnerable, with many fatalities among them, and since the spread is mainly among children, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a state of emergency to focus containment efforts in Africa."

Professor Lee noted, "No cases related to this outbreak have been confirmed in our country yet," but emphasized, "However, as it spread to Europe and the United States last year, it could also enter domestically. Thorough preparation against MPOX importation is necessary this year as well."

Furthermore, Professor Lee said, "Since companies are requiring employees to come to work even with cold symptoms, COVID-19 patients are hardly able to rest," and stressed, "It is important to establish a culture where people rest when sick, regardless of the infectious disease, and this should be emphasized in labor-management relations. Legal measures should be quickly developed. There is a need for sickness benefits that allow paid leave when one is ill."