4000 Prescriptions of COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment... "Considering Expansion to High-Risk Groups in Their 40s"

The addition of patients in their 50s with underlying conditions to the prescription target leads to an increase of 2,600 people in one week

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The number of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases prescribed the oral antiviral treatment 'Paxlovid' has increased to about 4,000.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 11th that a total of 3,916 people used Paxlovid over the four weeks from the 14th of last month to the 9th of this month. This is an increase of 2,641 people in one week compared to the 1,275 announced on the 4th.

Among the patients prescribed Paxlovid, 2,965 were receiving home treatment, followed by 770 patients hospitalized in infectious disease-dedicated hospitals, and 181 admitted to residential treatment centers.

By region, Gyeonggi (1,006 people) had the highest number of confirmed cases prescribed Paxlovid, followed by Busan (814), Seoul (794), Daegu (310), Incheon (198), Jeonnam (148), Gyeongbuk (139), and Jeonbuk (104).

The remaining stock of Paxlovid in the country was 27,954 doses as of 6:30 PM the previous day.

The government began prescribing Paxlovid to residents of residential treatment centers and home treatment patients on the 14th of last month, and has gradually expanded the prescription institutions to include nursing hospitals and facilities, infectious disease-dedicated hospitals, respiratory clinics, and COVID-19 designated medical institutions.

The eligibility criteria were also adjusted from initially those aged 65 and older to those aged 60 and older on the 22nd of last month, and from the 7th of this month, expanded to include patients in their 50s with underlying conditions.

Additionally, the government is discussing expanding Paxlovid prescription eligibility to include the 'high-risk group in their 40s.'

Ko Jae-young, spokesperson for the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said at the COVID-19 response briefing that "We are considering this by comprehensively reviewing the patient occurrence situation and Paxlovid supply status."

Earlier, Jeong Eun-kyeong, Commissioner of the KDCA, also responded at the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee's supplementary budget adjustment subcommittee on the 9th, saying, "We are reviewing whether to expand the applicable group to those under 40 with high-risk factors," and added, "There is also a demand among experts to expand the age range for administration."

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