Government Expands 'Home Treatment' Nationwide for Asymptomatic and Mild Patients (Update)

"Addition of Home Treatment Application Item in Basic Epidemiological Survey Form"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government is reorganizing the medical response system by improving the patient classification system and promoting home treatment to facilitate a phased return to daily life.

Lee Ki-il, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the COVID-19 regular briefing on the 1st, "During this social distancing period, we will steadily organize the medical response system for phased daily recovery," adding, "As vaccinations expand, the number of mild and asymptomatic patients is increasing while the severity rate is gradually decreasing. Therefore, we will improve the classification system for confirmed cases by additionally considering vaccination completion, eligibility for home treatment, and age when determining the necessity of hospitalization."

Accordingly, the existing patient classification criteria included age 60 and above, decreased consciousness, hospitalization factors, eligibility for self-treatment, and the bed conditions of residential treatment centers. Initially, elderly patients aged 60 and above were to be hospitalized, but this age criterion will be changed to 70 and above. In addition, vaccination completion status, hospitalization factors, and eligibility for home treatment will also be considered.

Furthermore, home treatment will be promoted. Although confirmed cases are surging, considering that the severity rate decreases according to vaccination rates, home treatment will be expanded to mild and asymptomatic patients. The controller said, "The expansion of home treatment was decided at a city and province meeting held last Saturday, when the highest number of confirmed cases occurred, and an official document was immediately sent that afternoon to implement it from the 25th," adding, "During the implementation process, many inquiries were received from various public health centers and cities/provinces, so detailed explanations were provided."

The total number of patients assigned to home treatment the previous day was 341. Home treatment, which was mostly conducted in the metropolitan areas such as Seoul (131), Gyeonggi (192), and Incheon (15), will be expanded nationwide. As of this day, a total of 1,361 people are under home treatment. All 17 cities and provinces have submitted home treatment management plans, enabling home treatment to be conducted in all regions. Confirmed patients requiring home treatment can apply through their respective city, province, or public health center.

Once a home treatment application is received, a medical diagnosis is conducted. The controller explained, "When confirmed, an epidemiological investigator fills out a basic epidemiological investigation form, which now includes an item on whether home treatment is requested, along with age, confirmation timing, infection route, and underlying diseases," adding, "Directly below this item, various factors such as eligibility for home treatment, residence in a detached house, and whether family members live together are checked." He further added, "A conclusion that home treatment is possible must be made based on medical judgment."

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