More Coughs Everywhere... COVID-19 Hospitalizations Jump 24% from Last Week

Spread Concentrated Among Elderly With Weakened Immunity
Stockpiling Treatments... No Vaccines Available
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rise for Six Consecutive Weeks

COVID-19, which is showing signs of resurgence during the summer season, has seen the number of hospitalized patients in South Korea increase for six consecutive weeks. As the outbreak continues to center on the elderly population, health authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant.

COVID-19, showing signs of resurgence in summer, has continued to increase the number of hospitalized patients in the country for six consecutive weeks. Getty Images

According to data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on August 16, a total of 272 COVID-19 patients were reported hospitalized at 221 sample surveillance hospitals nationwide during the 32nd week of this year (August 3-9). This figure represents a 23.6% increase compared to the 220 patients in the previous week (31st week), marking a six-week upward trend.

Of the cumulative 3,526 hospitalized patients through the 31st week of this year, 2,114, or 60%, were aged 65 or older. Patients aged 50-64 accounted for 18.3% (647 people), and those aged 19-49 made up 9.6% (340 people). The emergence of severe cases remains most pronounced among the elderly.

The virus detection rate is also rising. The proportion of samples from patients with respiratory symptoms that tested positive for COVID-19 increased from 22.5% in the 31st week to 32% in the 32nd week. Among the variant strains, NB.1.8.1 accounted for the highest share at 87.1%.

According to the KDCA, the number of hospitalized patients has been steadily increasing since the 26th week of this year. The weekly figures were as follows: 63 in the 26th week, 101 in the 27th week, 103 in the 28th week, 123 in the 29th week, 139 in the 30th week, 220 in the 31st week, and 272 in the 32nd week.

No Vaccines Available... Health Authorities Say "The Spread Will Likely Continue for Now"

Although the number of confirmed cases is lower than last summer, some experts point out that the waning effectiveness of vaccines is contributing to this summer's resurgence. In particular, the depletion of vaccine stockpiles has been highlighted as a problem, making it difficult to administer vaccinations for the time being.

As a result, there are currently no special alternatives other than antiviral treatments. The KDCA stated that it has secured enough COVID-19 treatments for 320,000 people and claimed, "This is sufficient to respond to the summer outbreak."

At the 6th Joint Response Meeting on Respiratory Infectious Diseases on August 12, KDCA Commissioner Lim Seungkwan said, "The number of COVID-19 cases is expected to continue rising for the time being," and called for the protection of high-risk groups and strict adherence to personal preventive measures.