[Q&A] "Preparing with the mindset that the COVID-19 resurgence is inevitable"

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The quarantine authorities stated regarding the possibility of a resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "We are approaching this with the mindset that it is a situation that inevitably will come."

At a regular briefing on the afternoon of the 21st, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, said, "Through strong social distancing measures, we have been able to control and suppress the spread of COVID-19 well, but considering various situations, the epidemic can flare up again at any time."

Deputy Head Kwon emphasized that while now is a good opportunity to transition to daily life quarantine, preparations for the next wave must be made with a 'matter of life and death' mindset. He explained that favorable and unfavorable situations are intersecting as the basis for this.

He cited the following favorable points: ▲ the imminent arrival of the summer season when crowd density decreases ▲ success in blocking overseas inflows ▲ high reporting awareness and high treatment levels among medical staff ▲ sufficient and accurate testing capabilities ▲ active participation of the public and confidence and experience in control.

As unfavorable points, he mentioned ▲ the reality that therapeutics and vaccines are difficult to commercialize ▲ the continuation of the global pandemic ▲ the environment where crowd density increases after summer into the second half of the year ▲ the possibility of complacency.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "During this period, while preparing for daily life quarantine, we must establish long-term COVID-19 measures and simultaneously accelerate research and development," adding, "We will strengthen the surveillance system and supplement measures in areas such as epidemiological investigations, patient management systems, and research and development."

The following are the main Q&A from Deputy Head Kwon's briefing that day

- You mentioned the importance of ventilation; what effects does it have from a quarantine perspective?

▲ In the case of severe patients, treatment begins in national isolation hospital beds, and if windows are opened, the air is completely exchanged about six times per hour. As I recall, ventilating the entire air five times reduces the amount of COVID-19 virus to less than 1 compared to a baseline of 100. Therefore, it is clear that as temperatures rise and ventilation improves, the likelihood of virus exposure decreases. However, according to experts, the coronavirus itself does not seem to have seasonal patterns like the influenza virus. At the same time, for typical respiratory viruses, the epidemic should subside in the summer when temperatures rise, but in the southern hemisphere, which is moving into winter, the COVID-19 virus epidemic is showing a significant upward trend. Therefore, as mentioned yesterday, the COVID-19 epidemic can certainly recur.

This morning, the WHO (World Health Organization) Secretary-General mentioned meaningful figures. In a study conducted in the Netherlands, through seroepidemiological research, even in regions with significant outbreaks, the antibody formation rate is only about 2-3%, and in other regions, it is just over 10%. This means the rest have at least not formed antibodies. Even if antibodies are formed, whether they provide protection and how long they last are separate issues.

Considering all this, although we have controlled and suppressed the COVID-19 epidemic well through strong social distancing measures, this part can flare up again at any time, and the quarantine authorities are approaching this with the thought that 'such a resurgence is inevitable given the current various situations.'

- If the infection proportion in the total population is high, can it be considered good because many people have immunity?

▲ The WHO also emphasizes that as some countries gradually ease near-lockdown measures regarding the COVID-19 situation, thorough quarantine measures must accompany this. There were claims in countries like Sweden and the UK that once herd immunity is formed to some extent, outbreaks would not occur. Nevertheless, in Europe, despite large-scale outbreaks, the antibody positivity rate is very low, leading to the conclusion that complacency is not possible.

In South Korea as well, it is difficult for the quarantine authorities to predict what figures will emerge through future seroepidemiological surveys. Ultimately, the final solution is therapeutics or vaccines. Until it is judged that perfect community defense is possible afterward, long and sustained quarantine measures against COVID-19 are inevitable.

- How many medical staff have been infected during COVID-19 patient treatment so far, and what specific countermeasures are in place to prevent this?

▲ (Gwak Jin, Head of Patient Management Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters) So far, a total of four medical staff have been infected during patient treatment, all confirmed to be nurses. (Deputy Head Kwon) Regarding countermeasures, various guidelines are provided to medical institutions to strictly comply with infection prevention rules related to medical infections that may occur within hospitals. We will also continue efforts to ensure sufficient supply of necessary personal protective equipment and masks.

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