"Survey of 10,000 People from Children to Adults... Establishing 'Long COVID' Treatment Guidelines"

Large-Scale Nationwide Survey on Various Symptoms Including Fatigue and Depression
COVID Testing, Treatment, and Prescription Unified Under 'Respiratory Patient Care Center'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government will conduct a large-scale survey involving about 10,000 citizens, including children, adolescents, and the general adult population, on the aftereffects of COVID-19, known as 'Long-Covid.' The plan includes designating medical institutions responsible for Long-Covid and creating guidelines for treatment and management.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 11th, at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo the previous day, a plan was discussed to systematically analyze the causes and symptoms of Long-Covid through a large-scale survey and to develop treatment guidelines. Accordingly, a cohort study will officially begin in the second half of this year, and after interim analysis, guidelines are expected to be released in the first half of next year.

According to health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO), Long-Covid is defined as symptoms that begin within three months of the onset of COVID-19 and last for at least two months, which cannot be explained by other diagnoses. To date, over 200 diverse symptoms have been reported as Long-Covid symptoms, including headaches, cognitive decline, fatigue, shortness of breath, hair loss, depression and anxiety, palpitations, menstrual cycle changes, and muscle pain.

While most COVID-19 confirmed patients recover from aftereffects, about 20% experience various symptoms in the medium to long term. No specific treatment has been identified so far, and symptomatic treatment (a method that addresses symptoms when the cause is difficult to find and resolve) is recommended.

Earlier, a survey on aftereffects conducted by the National Institute of Health in collaboration with the National Medical Center, Kyungpook National University Hospital, and Yonsei University Medical Center found that 20-79% of the subjects experienced aftereffects. The main symptoms included fatigue, shortness of breath, forgetfulness, sleep disorders, and mood disorders.

The government's cohort study will target 10,000 people, including children and adolescents as well as the general adult population without underlying diseases. Previously, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced a survey on COVID-19 aftereffects involving about 1,000 people at the end of March, which is ongoing separately from this newly announced large-scale survey targeting 10,000 people.

The government plans to secure standardized and precise data suitable for the post-COVID era through this diversified large-scale survey and to develop guidelines. Alongside this, it intends to expedite the designation of medical institutions for aftereffect treatment, which was included in the new government's '100-day COVID-19 Roadmap.'

The KDCA stated, "Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in confirmed cases, and the emergence of the Omicron variant, the need for large-scale surveys and standardized data collection has grown," adding, "Preparatory procedures for the large-scale survey targeting 10,000 people are currently underway." Park Hyang, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters' quarantine team, explained, "A disease code for COVID-19 aftereffects (medical institution disease code) has already been created," and "detailed follow-up investigations will be conducted centered on the KDCA."

Meanwhile, separate from this Long-Covid cohort study, the government plans to expand more than 5,000 local clinics and hospitals where COVID-19 testing, diagnosis, and prescriptions can be done in a one-stop manner. This is to manage COVID-19 patients within the general medical system following the transition to a 'post-Omicron' response system. Until now, COVID-related medical institutions such as 'respiratory dedicated clinics' conducting testing and non-face-to-face treatment, 'designated respiratory medical institutions,' and 'outpatient treatment centers' providing face-to-face care will be unified into 'Respiratory Patient Treatment Centers' starting next month.

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