'Post-Omicron' Emerges... Government Begins Discussions on Entering the 'Stabilization Phase'

Face-to-Face Medical Institutions Integrated Maintenance and Proactive Securing of Medical Response Infrastructure Planned

As the mask mandate has been lifted, citizens visiting Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul are taking off their masks.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] The government has decided to begin discussions next week on entering the 'post-Omicron' stabilization phase.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) discussed the "direction for establishing a sustainable infectious disease response system through the transition to a general medical system" at the first COVID-19 meeting under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration on the 11th. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters (CARH), stated, "The transition to the general medical system is scheduled to be fully implemented after the stabilization phase, but it is currently being promoted step-by-step to minimize confusion in the medical field."

He added, "The transition from the current implementation phase to the stabilization phase is not a finalized decision; the 23rd has been suggested as a tentative date. Starting next week, we will analyze how the situation unfolds and draw conclusions based on scientific evidence and rational discussions."

The health authorities emphasized that the transition to the stabilization phase requires consideration of the quarantine situation and the medical system.

Son said, "Two evaluations are necessary for the transition to the stabilization phase. First is the current quarantine situation. We need to assess whether the scale of confirmed cases, severe cases, and deaths are steadily decreasing and manageable. Second, COVID-19 testing and treatment within the general medical system must be operating smoothly. We also need to evaluate whether our medical system is well-prepared."

He also stated that along with the transition to the stabilization phase, face-to-face medical institutions will be integrated and reorganized, and proactive securing of medical response infrastructure will be undertaken.

Son explained, "We will simplify and integrate neighborhood clinics that can separate movement paths and provide COVID-19 testing and face-to-face treatment on the same day. The designated scale of neighborhood clinics will be determined considering the scale of confirmed cases but maintained at a level that does not inconvenience the public's medical use. Ultimately, the goal is for the majority of clinics to participate in this system."

He continued, "To prepare for a resurgence, we will proactively secure medical response infrastructure. While reducing treatment beds, we will prepare an emergency mobilization system for a resurgence. Regarding medical personnel, we will additionally train critical care nurses and provide specialized infectious disease education to expand expert medical staff in advance. Through these measures, the final goal is to transition stably to the general medical system, establish a sustainable infectious disease response system, and respond appropriately to any resurgence."

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