Wearing masks? Do I have to go to school?... Confusing COVID-19 resurgence response

COVID-19 is spreading again~

 

There are some changes, so I think it would be good for you to be aware of them.

 

Since COVID-19 vaccinations are going to be charged,

 

I think there are many people who are worried about whether they should get vaccinated.

 

 

▶What is the scale of the recent resurgence of COVID-19?

Last August, the government downgraded the COVID-19 infection level to the lowest grade 4 and has not been compiling total confirmed cases since then. Instead, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is investigating the number of hospitalized patients and the detection rate of the COVID-19 virus at 220 hospital-level medical institutions to assess the outbreak's severity.

According to this, the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients has been doubling approximately every week since the beginning of this month. After shifting to an increasing trend at the end of June, the numbers rose to 148 in the second week of July, 226 in the third week of July, 475 in the fourth week of July, and 861 in the first week of August. In the second week of August (August 10), the provisional count reached 1,357, surpassing the previous high of 875 in the first week of February this year.

Should I wear the mask again?

As most quarantine measures were lifted following the government's downgrade of the crisis level at the end of May, all indoor and outdoor mask mandates were also eliminated. Currently, wearing masks is not mandatory in medical institutions such as nursing hospitals and tertiary general hospitals, or in residential infection-vulnerable facilities like elderly care homes.

However, the quarantine authorities are once again recommending that individuals with suspected symptoms of infection, as well as high-risk groups such as those over 60 years old and immunocompromised individuals, wear masks whenever possible, taking this re-outbreak as an opportunity. Additionally, they strongly advise wearing masks when visiting crowded indoor places, medical institutions, or infection-vulnerable facilities. This applies to both workers and visitors at these facilities. Even outdoors, it is advisable to avoid visiting events or places with large crowds or to wear masks if visiting is unavoidable.

Ventilating indoors for 10 minutes every two hours is also important. In particular, the quarantine authorities have requested this for various infection-prone facilities and crowded places. This is also because the summer resurgence was partly caused by increased cooling in enclosed spaces. If proper ventilation is not maintained, contaminated substances such as the COVID-19 virus can spread throughout the indoor environment via the cooling airflow.

Should I go to work or school if I am sick, even though I should rest?

Currently, COVID-19, classified as a Level 4 infectious disease, does not require quarantine. However, health authorities recommend self-isolation if symptoms suggestive of infection, such as cough and fever, appear. If symptoms occur, individuals are advised to rest at home, and once these symptoms disappear and 24 hours have passed, they may resume normal activities.

However, since it is a recommendation, there are no guidelines from the health authorities regarding going to work at the workplace or attending school. In other words, whether absences due to COVID-19 infection are recognized depends on the decision of the school or company. Therefore, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has requested that companies, organizations, and groups also provide sick leave or similar benefits so that members can rest if they are ill.

 

Are all examination and treatment costs paid out of pocket?

The quarantine authorities recommend promptly visiting a hospital if respiratory symptoms such as cough and fever appear. However, since May, the medical support system for COVID-19 treatment has been adjusted to the same level as that for regular influenza.

 

Therefore, in the general healthcare system, diagnostic tests are non-covered items under health insurance, and individuals must bear the full cost of the tests. This is a principle to prevent overuse of medical services, such as unnecessary testing. Currently, the cost of COVID-19 PCR tests ranges from 30,000 to 40,000 won.

However, health insurance coverage is partially applied to symptomatic individuals among high-risk groups. The target groups include those aged 60 and above, patients with underlying conditions aged 12 and above, and immunocompromised individuals receiving oral treatments. At this time, they are responsible for approximately 10,000 to 30,000 won.

You can also use self-diagnosis kits sold at pharmacies and convenience stores without visiting a hospital. They generally cost between 4,000 and 8,000 won. This month, as the trend of infection surged rapidly, there was a shortage of self-diagnosis kits at pharmacies and convenience stores, prompting the government to step in to increase supply. More than 5 million units will be produced and supplied to the market within this month.

Treatment generally involves resting at home and alleviating symptoms with medications (symptomatic therapy). COVID-19 treatments such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio are prescribed mainly for high-risk groups. During this outbreak, the COVID-19 fatality rate is about 0.1%, similar to seasonal influenza, and it is explained that symptomatic therapy and rest are sufficient. However, the rate increases to 1.75% for the elderly (over 80 years old).

The prescription targets are individuals aged 60 or older, or those aged 12 to 59 with immunodeficiency or specific underlying health conditions. These underlying conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, and neurodevelopmental or mental health disorders.

Patients bear approximately 50,000 won, which is about 5% of the drug cost for COVID-19 treatment. Medical aid recipients (types 1 and 2) and those eligible for reduced copayments are provided free support. Severe patients hospitalized in the hospital incur out-of-pocket costs for hospitalization, excluding the portion covered by health insurance.

The authorities expect the shortage of COVID-19 treatments to be resolved within this month. It is explained that by the last week of August (August 25-31), there will be enough supply in all pharmacies to have surplus stock. The supply was insufficient because this wave of infections exceeded last summer's wave, but additional stock has been secured and supplied since the second week of August. Furthermore, the health authorities are also planning to include COVID-19 treatments in the health insurance coverage to stabilize supply. Until now, the quarantine authorities have predicted demand and purchased supplies separately.

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccination?

Vaccination (immunization) is also recommended primarily for high-risk groups. This year, vaccination will be conducted from October onwards for the 2024-2025 season. Free vaccination will be provided mainly for seniors aged 65 and older and high-risk groups with underlying health conditions, while the general public can receive paid vaccination if they wish.

However, there is no vaccine currently developed to directly target the ongoing 'KP.3 variant.' The approval process for a vaccine against the recently prevalent 'JN.1 variant' is underway. The Disease Control and Prevention Agency expects that both variants, which are subtypes of the Omicron variant, do not have significant genetic differences, so the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing infection and severe illness is expected to remain the same.

▶What are the daily COVID-19 infection prevention guidelines?

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommends the following daily infection prevention guidelines: wash hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds, ventilate rooms for 10 minutes every two hours, cover mouth and nose with a sleeve or tissue when coughing, wear a mask when visiting medical institutions or infection-prone facilities, and wear masks in crowded and enclosed indoor spaces.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated, "We will continue to collaborate with relevant ministries to allow those with severe symptoms from COVID-19 infection to rest at home," and urged the public to strictly follow the "COVID-19 infection prevention guidelines," emphasizing that the risk of infection has increased due to factors such as indoor ventilation issues caused by air conditioner use during summer and increased contact among people during vacation periods.

 

Choi Ji-hyun jh@kormedi.com