[Q&A] Family Infection Rate 40%... Guidelines for Family Response During Home Treatment

Recommendation for PCR within 3 days and rapid antigen test on days 6-7 if family member tests positive
Return to work/school allowed if PCR test is negative
Wear KF94 masks and gloves at home

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] As the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases undergoing home treatment surges, many families living with them cause confusion due to not fully understanding quarantine guidelines. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 23rd, there are 1,827,031 people under home treatment, of which 271,851 are in the intensive management group. In particular, the family transmission rate of Omicron is estimated to be around 40%. When a confirmed case occurs within a family, it is necessary to separate spaces and for cohabiting family members to take two COVID-19 tests, requiring special caution.

- If a confirmed case is found, do cohabiting family members also need to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test?

▲ PCR testing is recommended but not mandatory. When a family member tests positive, cohabiting family members are advised to take a PCR test within 3 days of the home treatment patient's test date (specimen collection date). Presenting the positive notification message to the public health center allows access to PCR testing. Until a negative PCR result is confirmed, home quarantine is recommended. It is best to avoid going out, but if the test is negative, going to work or school is possible. Even if a parent is confirmed positive, children with a negative PCR test can attend school, and conversely, if a child is confirmed positive, parents with a negative PCR test can go to work. However, wearing a KF94 (or equivalent) mask and minimizing face-to-face contact must be observed. Additionally, on days 6 to 7 after confirmation, cohabiting family members can take rapid antigen tests, but those aged 60 and above are recommended to take PCR tests.

- How to prevent transmission within the family?

▲ Cohabiting family members should strictly separate living spaces from the confirmed patient. When encountering the confirmed patient, wear a KF94 (or equivalent) mask and gloves, and absolutely avoid eating or engaging in activities in the same space. Also, frequently ventilate and disinfect surfaces using disinfectant wipes. Ventilation should be done at least three times a day for more than 10 minutes each time, and if ventilation equipment is available, it should be operated continuously.

- What should be done if additional confirmed cases occur within the family?

▲ If additional confirmed cases occur among cohabiting family members, the newly confirmed individuals must undergo a new 7-day isolation. However, additional isolation is not required for other cohabitants besides the first home treatment patient.

- How many days should cohabiting family members monitor for suspected COVID-19 symptoms?

▲ They should be monitored for 10 days. During this period, it is advisable to avoid visiting high-risk facilities and private gatherings. When going out, a KF94 mask must be worn at all times.

- Are confirmed patients punished if they do not comply with isolation requirements?

▲ According to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, confirmed patients must be hospitalized or isolated for 7 days, and violating this can result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. However, with the discontinuation of the self-quarantine app, reporting of self-quarantine violations relies solely on notifications.

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