COVID-19 Hospitalizations Double in Three Weeks... "High-Risk Groups Must Strengthen Preventive Measures"

Number of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients at Hospital-Level Institutions Doubles in Three Weeks
KDCA Urges High-Risk Groups to Wear Masks and Strengthen Preventive Measures

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at hospital-level medical institutions has increased for five consecutive weeks, and in the past three weeks alone, it has doubled.

On August 8, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that, during the 31st week of this year (July 27 to August 2), the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at 221 hospital-level medical institutions nationwide under sample surveillance reached 220. This is more than double the number from three weeks prior (103 patients).

The weekly number of hospitalized patients at hospital-level medical institutions has continued to rise for five consecutive weeks: 63 in the 26th week (June 22?28), 101 in the 27th week, 103 in the 28th week, 123 in the 29th week, 139 in the 30th week, and 220 in the 31st week. By age group, those aged 65 and older accounted for the largest proportion at 60.0% (2,114 out of 3,526 total hospitalized patients), followed by those aged 50?64 at 18.3% (647 patients), and those aged 19?49 at 9.6% (340 patients).

The number of hospitalized patients at 42 tertiary general hospitals also increased for four consecutive weeks, reaching 23. The COVID-19 virus detection rate among respiratory outpatients at clinic-level medical institutions also rose for four consecutive weeks, reaching 22.5%. The concentration of COVID-19 virus in wastewater showed a gradual increase, rising from 13.0% in the 28th week to 22.5% in the 31st week.

The KDCA expects the upward trend in COVID-19 cases to continue throughout this month.

Lim Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, emphasized, "High-risk groups for COVID-19, such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, should wear masks in crowded and enclosed indoor spaces and seek medical attention promptly if they develop fever or respiratory symptoms." He also urged staff and visitors at medical institutions and facilities vulnerable to infection, such as nursing hospitals, to strengthen preventive measures, including wearing masks.