From Today, Expert-Use Rapid Antigen Test Confirmed Positive... The Key is 'Paxlovid' Administration

Immediate Prescription for COVID-19 Patients Aged 60 and Over
78,000 Doses Imported Domestically
About Half Administered... Severe Cases Suppressed

Paxlovid, an oral treatment for COVID-19, has been stocked at a pharmacy in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Starting from the 14th, the quarantine guidelines have changed so that if a professional rapid antigen test is taken at local clinics or hospitals and the result is positive, the person will be considered a confirmed COVID-19 case. However, whether oral antiviral treatment (Paxlovid) can be administered immediately after confirmation remains a challenge. Experts emphasize the need to secure enough Paxlovid to prevent an increase in severe cases.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, for one month from this day, if a rapid antigen test is taken at any of the 7,732 local clinics and hospitals nationwide?including 459 respiratory-specialized clinics and 7,273 designated respiratory medical institutions?and the result is positive, the individual will be immediately classified as a confirmed COVID-19 case and will undergo immediate isolation and home treatment. There is no need for a separate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at public health centers. The health centers will receive reports of positive cases from medical institutions and then proceed with administrative procedures such as isolation notification, case investigation, and patient classification.

This measure was primarily considered due to the PCR testing capacity not meeting demand. The maximum number of PCR tests that can be conducted daily is 850,000, but due to a surge in confirmed cases, 1.15 million tests were conducted on the 11th and 890,000 on the 12th. As a result, there has been an increase in cases where PCR test results are notified 2 to 3 days later. The quarantine authorities have also reduced some PCR testing for overseas arrivals, nursing hospitals, and the military. It is expected that the demand for PCR tests will significantly decrease if positive results are confirmed through professional rapid antigen tests.

However, the biggest change in this measure is that if a test is taken at a clinic or hospital and a positive diagnosis is made, Paxlovid can be prescribed immediately. The authorities have allowed confirmed cases aged 60 and above to receive Paxlovid prescriptions right away. Medical professionals see Paxlovid administration as playing a major role in preventing severe illness in high-risk groups. The key is how quickly the medication can be administered. Paxlovid is most effective when taken within 3 days of symptom onset and should be taken within 5 days to expect effectiveness.

With additional supplies arriving at the end of last month, a total of 78,000 doses of Paxlovid have been imported into the country. As of the 10th of this month, a total of 40,111 doses (51.4%) have been administered. The authorities have continuously expanded the eligibility for Paxlovid prescriptions amid criticism of sluggish administration. Notably, 4,372 people were administered the drug in a single day on the 10th, and the number of eligible patients is expected to increase further with the new rapid antigen test confirmation measure. If prescriptions are made immediately after a positive rapid antigen test, the timing of administration can be advanced.

Experts point out the need for securing additional treatments. Professor Jeong Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine said, "Oral antiviral treatments appear to play a decisive role in suppressing the number of severe cases compared to the expected curve of severe patients," and added, "We need to prepare treatments that can be actively used during the outbreak in advance."

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