## COVID-19 Surge in Korea: Shortage of Treatments and New Variant Concerns
861 Coronavirus Cases Reported in First Week of August
The resurgence of COVID-19 in Korea has brought renewed concerns, with the emergence of the new Omicron variant virus KP.3. The number of patients has increased significantly in the past few weeks, leading to shortages of treatments and diagnostic kits in various areas.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 over the past four weeks has increased from 148 in the second week of last month to 861 in the first week of this month, a 5.8-fold increase.
The outbreak is primarily driven by the KP.3 variant, which has become the dominant strain in Korea, accounting for 45.5% of all Omicron variant cases. The variant is showing an increasing trend worldwide and is being monitored by the World Health Organization.
The surge in patients has led to concerns about the availability of treatments. Some regions and pharmacies are running out of medications such as Paxrobid, a treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. The actual weekly use of the treatment increased 33-fold in the past month.
The government is taking measures to address the shortage, including providing additional supplies of treatment drugs to local governments and changing the supply cycle from once a week to twice a week.
Industry experts suggest the need for a diversified range of treatment options to prepare for potential future surges.
A new oral treatment, ‘Zokova,’ is currently under review by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Clinical trials have shown that the drug can alleviate symptoms, reduce hospitalization rates, and eliminate the virus from the body.
The drug’s simple dosage and administration make it a promising option for addressing the ongoing pandemic.
With the spread of the new Omicron variant and potential for future surges, experts emphasize the importance of securing diverse treatment options to reduce the burden on the healthcare system and effectively manage the epidemic.
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2024-08-10 19:14:44