Gochang-gun Strengthens Medical Response System Inspection in Preparation for COVID-19 Resurgence

Published 11 Jul.2022 10:37(KST)

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk Province, is recently strengthening medical response system inspections and activities to guide daily quarantine rules in preparation for the possibility of a COVID-19 resurgence.

On the 11th, Shim Deokseop, the head of Gochang-gun, presided over an executive meeting and said, “With the nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases recently, there is concern about the risk of a resurgence,” adding, “Please do your best to check the medical response system and to provide guidance on personal quarantine rules and ventilation rules to ensure a safe summer vacation.”

Recently, as confirmed cases of the BA.5 type of the Omicron variant virus have increased, signs of a resurgence during this summer vacation season are emerging.

First discovered in South Africa, the BA.5 type has caused confirmed cases in 62 countries worldwide since its initial detection and has become the dominant strain in countries such as the United States and Europe.

In South Korea as well, it shows a detection rate of 28.2% (as of July 2), and a continuous increase is expected.

The BA.5 variant, as observed so far, like other Omicron variants, does not have a higher fatality or mortality rate compared to the Delta variant.

However, it is more contagious than any other variant, and even those who have been vaccinated or have immunity from a previous COVID-19 infection may be reinfected after three months, so greater attention to personal quarantine is necessary.

The Gochang-gun Public Health Center operates free PCR testing at screening clinics from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. without holidays for those aged 60 and above (born before 1962), entrants within three days, patients before hospital admission, and those who test positive on rapid antigen tests.

Yu Byungsoo, director of the Gochang-gun Public Health Center, said, “Even outdoors, minimize the time without wearing masks along with social distancing, and if respiratory symptoms occur, we strongly recommend receiving treatment at local clinics or respiratory patient treatment centers.”