As the detection rate of ‘KP.3’, a sub-variant of the COVID-19 virus Omicron, is increasing recently, it is predicted that the number of patients will peak in the third week of this month.
Hong Jeong-ik, director of the Infectious Disease Policy Bureau at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, predicted on MBC Radio’s Kim Jong-bae’s Spotlight on the 13th that the third and fourth weeks of August, when the vacation and holiday season ends, could be the peak of the spread.
Director Hong said, “As summer vacation ends, people tend to gather in one space, which can have an impact. People gathering in a confined space due to air conditioning also has an impact,” and “Seasonal influences cause small outbreaks once or twice in the winter and summer.”
The rate of severe symptoms is said to be similar to that of the coronavirus that was prevalent last year. The probability of severe symptoms occurring in the variant of the virus prevalent this year is about 1 in 1,000 people in their 60s, 2 to 3 in 1,000 people in their 70s, and about 1 in 100 people over 80.
Director Hong said that this COVID-19 variant shows symptoms similar to those of common respiratory infections, such as coughing, body aches, headaches, and phlegm. He said, “The spectrum is wide, from asymptomatic to severe symptoms, but the possibility of severe symptoms is very low, and the number of asymptomatic or mild patients is increasing significantly.”
He continued, “Most young people can control their symptoms by resting, drinking plenty of water, and taking antipyretics, just like with a common respiratory infection,” adding, “For adults who are at high risk of developing severe symptoms, we recommend actively prescribing treatments.”
Regarding concerns about a shortage of COVID-19 diagnostic kits, Director Hong explained, “As COVID-19 has been stabilizing and use has decreased, supply has been low, and this has led to a temporary shortage at pharmacies.” He continued, “I checked with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and production has been increased again, so there is an ample supply.”
Regarding the adjustment of the crisis level, Director Hong said, “We are observing the trend of patient occurrence, inconveniences in patients’ use of medical services, etc., and if there are any problems in these areas, we will adjust the crisis level,” and emphasized, “We are not at that stage yet, and we will strengthen our own response team to control the epidemic level.”
However, he explained that there is no vaccine released to prevent the currently prevalent KP.3. Director Hong said, “There is a vaccine for the previously prevalent mutant virus, and it is currently in the process of being approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as well as in Europe and the United States,” and “It is expected to be released in late August or early September, so we will purchase it and prepare it as soon as the approval process is completed.”
He continued, “This time, we plan to carry out national vaccinations targeting high-risk groups aged 65 and older who are at high risk of developing severe or more severe symptoms, and we plan to supply them to the market so that the general public can receive them for a fee.”
(Seoul = News 1)
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2024-08-13 05:50:45