Reopening Living Treatment Centers... Half of Patients Are Asymptomatic or Mild Young Cases

Professor Son Gi-yeong of Seoul Asan Hospital
Significant Decrease in Patients Aged 60 and Over
Many Family Unit Confirmed Cases
Proper Mask Wearing is Important

Professor Son Gi-young, Department of Family Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "Patients in their 20s account for nearly half of the residents."

Professor Son Ki-young of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul Asan Hospital, who is in charge of monitoring, managing, and treating patients at the Seoul City University Residential Treatment Center, said in an interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, "The biggest difference from the third large wave is that there are many asymptomatic and mild young patients."

Professor Son stated, "Many patients are asymptomatic until admission, and even after admission, most have mild symptoms such as a slight sore throat or fever," adding, "There has been a noticeable decrease in elderly patients aged 60 and above."

The Seoul City University Residential Treatment Center operated from December 30 last year to February 19 this year and then closed. However, due to the recent surge in confirmed cases in Seoul, it reopened yesterday. The center has a medical staff of about 10 people dispatched, including 3 doctors from Seoul Asan Hospital, 5 nurses, 1 radiologist, and 3 medical support staff.

Professor Son said, "There are currently about 60 patients, and the number of admissions is rapidly increasing," adding, "About 40% of the patients are in their 20s, with most between their 20s and 40s, and not many patients complain of symptoms."

'Even if parents and confirmed children share a room, infection can be prevented if masks are worn properly... "No gaps around the nose"

The Residential Treatment Center follows a one-person-one-room principle, and residents must measure and upload their temperature, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation twice daily through the Residential Treatment Center app. Meals are delivered three times a day in disposable lunch boxes to a designated spot in front of the door, and after eating, the containers are sealed. Waste that has come into contact with patients is placed in containers that cannot be reopened to prevent infection.

Professor Son explained, "Medical staff do not have direct contact, so they communicate with patients and check their health status via phone or messenger," adding, "Some patients complain of gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, so we have about 40 types of medication ready and prescribe according to symptoms."

He advised, "Recently, with the ongoing heatwave, some confirmed patients have mistaken symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea for enteritis," adding, "Symptoms such as fever and cough are similar to a cold, and it is not easy to distinguish based on symptoms alone, so it is better to 'raise suspicion levels' and get tested."

Since patients are isolated in a space about one pyeong (approximately 3.3 square meters), some residents experience insomnia due to anxiety, but most adapt well to the ten-day stay at the center and recover fully before discharge, he explained. The center also accommodates many family units of confirmed cases. When a parent is confirmed positive and there is a young child who needs care, they sign a pledge and are admitted to the same room simultaneously.

Professor Son emphasized that with the recent spread of the Delta variant and increased infections among young people, "mask usage" is the most important measure to prevent further spread.

He said, "There are many cases where parents who share a room with their confirmed child and wear masks thoroughly do not contract COVID-19 until discharge," noting, "This proves the effectiveness of masks." Professor Son added, "More important than which mask you wear is wearing it correctly and properly," emphasizing, "Be careful to avoid gaps around the nose and wear a mask that fits your face snugly and accurately."

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