Health Authorities: "COVID-19 Situation Not Safe... Spread Like Late April to Early May Can Occur Anytime"

'Remdesivir' Administered to 76 Severe Patients in 27 Hospitals Nationwide

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues mainly in the metropolitan area, health authorities have repeatedly urged compliance with quarantine rules, warning that 'silent infections' that occurred during the 'Golden Holiday' from late April to early May could happen again.

On the 21st, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), said at a regular briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "Field epidemiologists have expressed the opinion that 'currently, sporadic local infections are occurring, so the situation is not yet safe, and especially due to population movement during the holiday season and crowded environments, incidents similar to those experienced in late April and early May can occur at any time.'"

Deputy Director Kwon said, "Looking back at April, there were moments when we felt confident about quarantine, but shortly after, we experienced a sudden collapse due to club-related infections. It took more than two months to suppress and control this, and the aftereffects are still ongoing."

He continued, "With COVID-19 prevailing worldwide, if our lifestyle does not change, explosive outbreaks in unforeseen forms are possible. The biggest risk factor right now is 'complacency.' To maintain the safety and daily life of our society at the current level, it is important to normalize daily quarantine rules such as social distancing and wearing masks."

Regarding the cluster infection at a nursing facility in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, he explained, "The first recognized patient was an 85-year-old man, but considering the situation, the index patient (first patient) is identified as a 60-year-old woman who reportedly began showing symptoms on the 15th of this month."

About the cluster infection related to an office in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, he stated, "Due to the 60th confirmed case in Songpa, Seoul, 12 confirmed cases have been identified so far, and the Gwangju city authorities have filed a complaint with the Gwangju Police Station."

He added, "If confirmed patients provide false statements and miss the golden time during epidemiological investigations, it delays the identification of contacts, increasing the risk of 'n-th transmission.' Therefore, once confirmed, please actively cooperate with epidemiological investigations for prompt contact tracing."

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Kwon announced that Remdesivir, a COVID-19 treatment drug imported under special approval, has been administered to 76 severe patients.

He said, "So far, it has been administered to 76 severe patients at 27 hospitals. Recently, the treatment guidelines from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been partially revised to recommend against administration in cases where the condition of severe patients has worsened. Accordingly, the Central Clinical Committee is reviewing the use of Remdesivir."

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