[W Forum] Preparing for K-Quarantine 'Version 2.0'

Published 23 Nov.2020 11:16(KST)

South Korea, where the third wave has begun, is still engaged in an endless battle against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The public is growing weary of repeated social distancing measures, and the government and medical community are struggling to respond to COVID-19, but at the same time, active discussions are underway to create a country safe from infectious diseases. It is now time to redesign our quarantine, diagnosis, and treatment measures from an innovative perspective on how humanity will live alongside the virus.

First, flexibility in diagnostic methods based on genetic amplification (RT-PCR) is necessary. Preparations are needed to apply rapid antigen test kits on-site. They can be used to determine entry permission through screening tests using rapid kits when visiting high-risk facilities, medical institutions, and nursing homes. It also seems possible to establish minimum safety measures through screening tests for entry to public cultural facilities, performances, and sports events. There is also a need to discuss building a medical environment where the entire population can quickly test and treat suspected symptoms, similar to rapid influenza diagnostic kits.

Second, preparations for vaccination are necessary. Foreign-developed vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna are scheduled to be released sequentially starting next month. The government’s advance purchase plan is in its final stages, and since the goal is vaccination next year, the establishment of a cold chain (low-temperature distribution) and preparation of vaccination medical institutions are required. The importance of preparations to maintain vaccine efficacy and prevent deterioration during storage and distribution at minus 70 degrees Celsius and thawing before vaccination was deeply felt by the public through the influenza vaccine incident. Specific discussions on the priority order for COVID-19 vaccination should also take place. Guidelines need to be prepared to vaccinate those with high vaccine necessity first, such as medical personnel, military personnel, patients with underlying conditions, and the elderly, and thorough plans for monitoring adverse reactions and post-vaccination management must be established.

Third, the government’s support methods for vaccine and therapeutic development must be advanced. The speed of releasing vaccines developed with domestic original technology is slow and faces various environmental difficulties. Since COVID-19 may visit us annually, requiring regular vaccination, efforts should be made not only to import vaccines and outsource production but also to motivate pharmaceutical and biotech companies to take interest in pioneering original technology development through incentives, active support, and regulatory relaxation.

More acceleration is also needed in therapeutic development. Even if promising substances exist, obstacles in the development and commercialization process can cause delays compared to other countries in the race for speed. Negative perceptions of clinical trials must be changed, and investment in people should be strengthened to cultivate researchers capable of leading multinational clinical trials. Upgrading the research capabilities of public hospitals involved in COVID-19 treatment will be an important issue for expanding public healthcare in the infectious disease era.

The version 1.0 of K-quarantine, which focused on mask-wearing and handwashing, was possible thanks to the cooperation of mature citizens. Now, it is time to prepare version 2.0 of K-quarantine. While developing technology and systems specialized in infectious disease response, it is time to once again demonstrate the capabilities of K-diagnosis, K-treatment, and further K-medical care. This is the very consideration for a new form of COVID-19 end in the With-Corona era, where our people can live without being conscious of COVID-19.