COVID-19 Inpatients Rise for 7 Consecutive Weeks... "Outbreak Expected to Ease Without Major Surge"

COVID-19 Inpatients Continue to Rise for 7 Weeks
Health Authorities Expect Outbreak to Subside Soon
60% of Total Cases Are Aged 65 and Older

Although the number of COVID-19 inpatients has increased for seven consecutive weeks, health authorities predict that the outbreak will subside soon.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on August 22, the number of COVID-19 inpatients at 221 hospital-level sample surveillance medical institutions during the 33rd week of this year (August 10-16) was recorded at 302. The number of COVID-19 inpatients has steadily increased each week for seven consecutive weeks, from 63 in the 26th week (June 22-28) to 302 in the 33rd week.

As of the 33rd week, the cumulative number of inpatients (4,100) by age group showed that those aged 65 and older accounted for 60% (2,458), the largest proportion, followed by those aged 50-64 at 18.4% (756), and those aged 19-49 at 9.9% (407).

The COVID-19 virus detection rate for the 33rd week was 31.5%, down 0.5 percentage points from the previous week, indicating that the upward trend has halted. However, wastewater surveillance has shown a gradual increase in COVID-19 virus concentration since the 26th week.

Considering the slowdown in the increase of inpatient numbers in the 33rd week, the KDCA predicts that the COVID-19 outbreak will ease within this month. However, the agency emphasized the need to continue monitoring the potential impact of the start of the new school term and other factors.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "We are spending the summer without a major outbreak like last year, but the number of COVID-19 inpatients is still rising," and urged, "Please continue to follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines in your daily lives."