"If No Symptoms 10 Days After Positive Diagnosis, Isolation Ends" (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The quarantine authorities have reorganized the criteria for lifting isolation based on research results and epidemiological data analysis indicating that the transmissibility of COVID-19 is low after 10 days from onset.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, announced at a regular briefing held on the 24th at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "Starting tomorrow, we will implement the 'COVID-19 Response Guidelines 9th Edition,' which introduces isolation release criteria for confirmed cases based on clinical course."

Both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals are eligible for release from isolation if they meet either the clinical course criteria or the testing criteria.

For asymptomatic individuals, isolation can be lifted if ▲ 10 days have passed since confirmation based on clinical course criteria without any clinical symptoms during this period, or ▲ 7 days have passed since confirmation based on testing criteria and two consecutive PCR tests taken at intervals of at least 24 hours are negative.

For symptomatic individuals, isolation can be lifted if ▲ 10 days have passed since onset based on clinical course criteria, with no fever for at least 72 hours without taking antipyretics and clinical symptoms showing improvement, or ▲ 7 days have passed since onset based on testing criteria, with no fever without antipyretics and clinical symptoms improving, followed by two consecutive negative PCR tests taken at intervals of at least 24 hours.

Head Jung explained, "PCR tests can show positive results even when there is no infectivity, which has caused prolonged isolation even after clinical symptoms of confirmed cases have improved. Therefore, we have changed the isolation release criteria by combining clinical course criteria with the existing testing criteria (PCR)."

Additionally, to ensure smooth bed supply, the quarantine authorities have allowed patients whose symptoms improve to be transferred from nationally designated inpatient isolation beds or higher-level hospitals to dedicated hospitals, general hospitals, or to be admitted to residential treatment centers.

Head Jung stated, "If a doctor determines that a patient’s COVID-19 clinical symptoms have improved, such as no fever for more than 24 hours without antipyretics, and that transfer within the hospital, transfer between hospitals, or admission to a residential treatment center is necessary, such transfers or admissions will be permitted."

The quarantine authorities have also established procedures for local governments to reissue hospitalization notices specifying changes in isolation locations when confirmed cases transfer hospitals or enter facilities. If a patient refuses transfer or admission after a doctor’s notification, the patient must bear the full cost of hospitalization fees.

Head Jung added, "Although such procedures existed before, we have prepared detailed procedures to enhance their effectiveness."

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