"COVID-19 Cases Decrease for 2 Consecutive Weeks"…'Fever Clinics' Operated During Chuseok Holiday Period

Government Reviews Response System Ahead of Chuseok

The government reviewed the medical response system to ensure that COVID-19 patients receive timely treatment according to the severity of their condition ahead of the Chuseok holiday. This consideration comes as the COVID-19 outbreak has decreased for two consecutive weeks, indicating that the peak has passed, while also taking into account the increased movement during the Chuseok holiday for ancestral rites and domestic and international travel.

As COVID-19 is resurging, on the morning of the 3rd, employees are working in protective suits at the Overseas Infectious Disease Reporting Center in Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the 10th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that Director Ji Young-mi chaired a meeting with related ministries including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Ministry of Education to review infectious disease prevention measures for Chuseok.

The government will first install and operate fever clinics at public and private hospitals to disperse patients visiting emergency rooms on weekends, nights, and holidays due to fever symptoms. Additionally, hospitals with prior experience operating as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals will be designated as inpatient cooperative hospitals. This measure aims to enable patients with moderate or higher severity COVID-19 (between severe and mild) who require hospitalization to receive prompt treatment at hospitals in their local area.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to encourage local governments to increase the number of hospitals and clinics open during the holiday period and strengthen public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, a 'Emergency Medical Management Situation Team,' led by local government heads, will be operated to manage emergency medical situations and inspect the emergency medical system.

According to the KDCA, sample surveillance of COVID-19 shows that the peak of this summer's outbreak has passed and the number of patients is decreasing. The number of hospitalized patients peaked at 1,464 in the 33rd week of this year and has decreased for two consecutive weeks, reaching 837 (57.2% compared to the peak) during the week of August 25-31.

Director Ji stated, "We will promote preventive measures for infectious diseases including COVID-19 and strengthen management of vulnerable facilities," adding, "We will also prepare in advance to ensure there are no disruptions in the prescription, dispensing, and supply of COVID-19 treatments during the Chuseok holiday."

The KDCA plans to provide lists of medical institutions and pharmacies capable of prescribing and dispensing treatments during the holiday through the KDCA 'Infectious Disease Portal' and local government websites. COVID-19 treatments will be sufficiently supplied this week, and more than 100,000 doses will be maintained regionally during the Chuseok period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.