"COVID-19, from Localized Conflict to Full-Scale War"…Expert Emergency Diagnosis

Experts "Entry Restrictions on Countries with Many Confirmed Cases"

Professor Kim Woo-joo of Korea University Guro Hospital: "Community Transmission Confirmed"
Blocking Inflow and Managing Contacts → Need for Proactive Response to Suspected Infections
Calls for Additional Expansion of Entry Restrictions and Screening Clinics for China

Professor Woojoo Kim, Department of Infectious Diseases, Korea University Guro Hospital

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Jung-yoon, Choi Dae-yeol, Kim Heung-soon] "The pattern of COVID-19 has shifted from localized outbreaks to full-scale community transmission. We must prepare for a prolonged battle."

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, issued this warning on the 19th regarding the sudden surge of 15 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Seoul's Seongdong-gu, stating that community transmission has become full-fledged. Professor Kim explained, "Until now, responses were focused on incoming travelers, travel history to COVID-19 outbreak countries, and contact with confirmed cases, but now that community transmission is confirmed, anyone with even mild symptoms should be suspected of infection and respond accordingly."

Experts unanimously agree that the COVID-19 situation has entered a prolonged phase due to community transmission. Professor Chun Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital emphasized, "COVID-19 can present with mild symptoms, so if community transmission occurs, people can unknowingly spread the virus," adding, "We need to consider a long-term response."

Professor Cheon Eun-mi, Department of Pulmonology, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital

As the situation intensifies due to community transmission, calls have been made to block entry from high-risk countries. Professor Jeon Byung-yul of the Department of Preventive Medicine at CHA University (former Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) stated, "The fewer people entering from epidemic countries, the longer it takes for the virus to spread in the community," citing the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic that started in the U.S., where relatively fewer arrivals from the U.S. delayed community transmission by 70 days.

Professor Jeon added, "In this COVID-19 case, many entrants from China and lack of control led to community transmission within four weeks after the first confirmed case." Professor Kim also said, "The best way to prevent COVID-19 spread is to block people entering the country."

There were also opinions that entry restrictions should apply not only to China but also to neighboring countries with many confirmed cases. Professor Chun said, "COVID-19 symptoms are milder than Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), but its infectivity is as high as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)," suggesting, "Entry restrictions should be imposed for one to two months on countries with many confirmed cases such as China, Japan, and Hong Kong."

With COVID-19 spreading in the community and many unspecified individuals exposed to the virus, there were calls to expand the operation of screening clinics. Especially for elderly and patients with underlying conditions in the community, if they show common cold symptoms like fever or cough, visiting screening clinics for diagnosis can prevent confirmed cases and stop progression to severe illness.

Professor Chun said, "In a situation of community transmission, increasing the number of screening clinics allows for faster diagnosis and treatment," adding, "A system should be introduced where hospitals have screening clinics for testing and medical interviews, as was done during the H1N1 pandemic, to filter patients." Professor Jeon also emphasized, "Suspected patients with even mild symptoms should visit screening clinics to prevent infections in hospitals or emergency rooms."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.