Emphasizing 'Scientific Quarantine'... Concerns Abound Over 'COVID-19 Resurgence Measures'

Vaccination Rate Only 32% for Those Over 60
Doubt Over Effectiveness of 4th Dose for 50s
Limitations of Voluntary Quarantine During Vacation Season

On the 12th, with 37,360 new COVID-19 cases reported, marking the first time in 55 days that the number has fallen into the 30,000 range, citizens lined up to get tested at a screening clinic set up at Mapo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The government has introduced new quarantine measures in response to the resurgence of COVID-19, but experts point out that detailed follow-up measures are necessary to ensure their effectiveness.

According to health authorities on the 14th, the 'Quarantine and Medical Response Plan for COVID-19 Resurgence' announced the previous day did not include any immediate measures to curb the rise in new confirmed cases, despite the recent spread centered on the highly transmissible BA.5 variant and increased mobility during the vacation season. Apart from emphasizing individual voluntary participation, no specific detailed guidelines were provided beyond mask-wearing, handwashing, and refraining from gatherings, nor was there even a message stressing the need to strengthen quarantine measures.

Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center evaluated, "It seems the government has chosen relatively easy methods that do not incur social or economic costs among the quarantine measures implemented so far," adding, "It appears there is no intention to manage quarantine to minimize the spread itself as in the past."

The expansion of vaccine eligibility is also expected to face the barrier of 'vaccine distrust.' So far, the fourth dose vaccination rate among those aged 60 and over is only 32.2% of the population, and even if expanded to those in their 50s, it is unlikely to lead to voluntary vaccination.

Professor Baek Soon-young, Emeritus Professor at the Catholic University Medical School, said, "Even among those in their 50s, if they have no underlying conditions or are not immunocompromised or patients, there is a high likelihood they will hesitate to get vaccinated," adding, "Since the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing infection against the currently circulating BA.5 variant is reduced, it may also be difficult to feel the effect of preventing severe illness."

① Can voluntary quarantine alone withstand BA.5?

② Will people in their 50s get the fourth dose?

③ Are about 7,200 hospital beds sufficient?

④ What about vulnerable nursing hospitals and facilities?

⑤ Are there any gaps in home treatment management?

Currently, there are about 5,800 hospital beds nationwide (1,466 severe, 2,291 semi-severe, 1,948 moderate, 116 mild), enabling response to about 146,000 daily confirmed cases. However, despite health authorities’ explanation that an additional 1,405 beds (435 severe, 970 semi-severe) will be secured in preparation for cases exceeding 200,000, the field response remains confused.

An official from a general hospital said, "As the Omicron wave stabilized and the government ordered a transition to the general medical system, dedicated COVID-19 beds were reduced and dedicated personnel reassigned despite opposition from frontline medical staff," questioning, "Are we supposed to increase them again after just a month or two?"

Concerns also arise over insufficient management of nursing hospitals and facilities, where deaths and severe cases were concentrated during COVID-19 waves. The health authorities have only announced plans to expand proactive testing for workers at these facilities, who currently undergo weekly PCR tests, but measures such as testing residents or suspending in-person visits are to be considered later.

With most asymptomatic and mild cases receiving home treatment, the previous system dividing patients into intensive and general management groups has been abolished, ending health monitoring for the elderly intensive management group. The government explained, "We aim to ensure prompt face-to-face treatment if symptoms appear through expanded medical infrastructure and oral antiviral prescriptions," but some point out, "With reduced home treatment support and increased out-of-pocket medical expenses, delaying treatment could lead to worsening conditions."

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