Health Authorities: "Seasonal Factors Major in COVID-19 Case Surge... Early Diagnosis Crucial"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The quarantine authorities have urged symptomatic individuals to visit screening clinics as soon as possible for diagnostic testing, citing a recent sharp increase in domestic confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) coinciding with seasonal factors.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing on the 19th, "The period when the coronavirus tends to be prevalent is usually from December to April, the end of the year," adding, "The recent faster-than-expected rise in domestic COVID-19 cases is partly due to seasonal factors."

He continued, "Currently, a large-scale global outbreak is underway, and there are no positive signs yet that the epidemic is subsiding," noting, "In mid-this month, 500,000 to 600,000 new cases are occurring worldwide daily."

This figure is more than double compared to September, just two months ago, and about six times higher than in May. This phenomenon is common across most Northern Hemisphere countries and is related to the seasonal factors of respiratory virus outbreaks.

Lee said, "Domestic confirmed cases are also rapidly increasing," adding, "Although South Korea is among the three OECD countries with the lowest incidence rate per million people in the past week, the recent rapid increase is certainly a concerning situation."

The quarantine authorities emphasized that early diagnosis is crucial to prevent further spread.

Lee stated, "COVID-19 can release the virus strongly even before symptoms appear and continue to shed the virus for several days after onset," emphasizing, "If the confirmation of symptomatic individuals is delayed, many people exposed during the contact period may be at risk of infection, so early testing is very important."

He also mentioned the need for social consideration to encourage those who need testing to willingly undergo it. Lee said, "Anyone can contract infectious diseases," and warned, "People who need to be tested should not hesitate due to concerns about possible social disadvantages."

He further explained, "If influenza (flu) is suspected but self-testing is difficult, antiviral drugs can be proactively prescribed. Starting today, health insurance coverage will apply to antiviral prescriptions for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals," adding, "After consultation, if a test request form is issued, the procedure has been simplified so that COVID-19 testing or simultaneous COVID-19 and flu testing can be done at screening clinics without a separate questionnaire process."

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