"Hidden Infections 2-3 Times Higher Than Reported... Motivation Needed Despite 'Self-Quarantine'"

Impact of Reduced Living Support and Treatment Aid
Perception of 'Mild Omicron Symptoms' Also a Factor
"Motivation Needed Even with Voluntary Quarantine"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Although the rate of increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases has recently slowed, concerns are rising that the scale of 'hidden infections'?those who do not undergo diagnostic testing?may be larger than during the Omicron BA.1 wave. Experts emphasize the need to provide incentives to encourage these individuals to get tested.

Over the past week, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported by health authorities was about 1.2 to 1.3 times that of the previous week. As of the 1st, the number of new confirmed cases was 44,689, which is 1.24 times higher than the number a week earlier. This increase is smaller compared to the 'doubling' phenomenon observed in the second week of last month, when cases doubled compared to the previous week.

However, experts point out that there may be hidden infections who do not get tested due to reduced support. Since the 11th of last month, the eligibility for COVID-19 isolation living support payments has been limited to households with median income at or below 100%. Previously, there was no separate income criterion. Additionally, COVID-19 medical and medication costs, which were fully covered, now require patients to pay out-of-pocket expenses. Professor Jung Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine stated, "If there are no benefits or cost support associated with diagnostic testing, the proportion of actual infected individuals who are confirmed cases will inevitably decrease."

There is also an opinion that the atmosphere formed during the Omicron wave in February and March has had an impact. Professor Chun Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital explained, "The actual number of confirmed cases may be two to three times higher than the current reported figures," adding, "During the Omicron wave, the perception spread that symptoms were less severe than Delta, and with the lifting of social distancing, people think that getting a positive diagnosis leads to social restrictions without benefits, so they avoid testing."

The burden of testing costs is also cited as a factor causing people to avoid testing. When undergoing professional rapid antigen tests at hospitals or clinics, asymptomatic individuals were not covered by health insurance and had to pay 30,000 to 50,000 KRW for the test. Accordingly, from the 2nd, authorities decided to apply health insurance coverage for rapid antigen tests if asymptomatic individuals verbally explain that they are close contacts. However, tests solely for confirming a negative result or for company submission still incur non-covered fees.

Health authorities believe that hidden infections are not significant among high-risk groups such as the elderly because PCR tests are provided free of charge. Baek Kyung-ran, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "The cases missed in testing are likely to be mostly asymptomatic or mild cases, and those with severe symptoms or requiring treatment are less likely to be missed," adding, "PCR tests can be conducted free of charge for all high-risk groups."

However, there are calls for incentives to encourage testing even among those who are not in high-risk groups. Professor Baek Soon-young, Emeritus Professor at the Catholic University College of Medicine, commented on the current quarantine situation, saying, "While hidden infections among high-risk groups may be low, it is problematic if hidden infections among younger people, who have wider activity ranges and contact more people due to work, are not controlled," emphasizing, "Even if 'voluntary quarantine' is practiced, there should at least be incentives to motivate people to get tested."

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