Starting Tomorrow, Enhanced Vaccination Period for Updated Vaccines...Stricter Outing and Overnight Stay Rules at Nursing Hospitals

Confirmed Cases at 50,000 Level but Severe Cases and Deaths Both Increasing
Sub-Severe Bed Occupancy Rate Approaching 50%

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the winter resurgence of COVID-19 intensifies, the government has decided to operate a 'Winter Intensive Vaccination Period' for four weeks from the 21st of this month to the 18th of next month to increase vaccination rates among the elderly and residents of infection-vulnerable facilities. Regulations on outings and overnight stays for infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and nursing homes will be strengthened again.

According to the quarantine authorities on the 20th, the government aims to raise the vaccination rate of the elderly aged 60 and over to 50% and the vaccination rate of infection-vulnerable facilities to 60% during this intensive vaccination period. As of midnight on the 18th, the additional winter vaccination rate was only 12.4% among all those aged 60 and over, and 16.0% among the vaccination target group aged 60 and over.

To this end, the elderly can receive vaccines anytime by visiting nearby clinics or hospitals without prior reservation. Especially for those who have completed the additional vaccination, incentives have been prepared such as free admission to palaces and royal tombs, discounts on temple stays, cultural experience benefits, and discounts when using facilities under the jurisdiction of local governments.

In addition, unvaccinated individuals will be informed of the need for vaccination through notification texts or disaster messages, and publicity and guidance will be strengthened. The government plans to use media familiar to the elderly to explain the effectiveness and safety of vaccines in an easy-to-understand manner.

Vaccination or Infection Must Be Over Four Months Ago to Go Out After Receiving the Updated Vaccine

From the 21st, even those who have received the 3rd or 4th additional vaccination or have had a confirmed infection at nursing hospitals and nursing facilities must receive the Omicron-targeted bivalent updated vaccine after 120 days have passed since their vaccination or infection date to be allowed to go out or stay overnight. Previously, those who had received the 4th vaccination or had a confirmed infection after at least two vaccinations were allowed to go out or stay overnight.

Furthermore, those receiving additional winter vaccinations are exempt from the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) proactive testing currently conducted on workers within infection-vulnerable facilities.

This measure comes as the number of severe and fatal cases continues to rise despite daily confirmed cases remaining between 50,000 and 70,000. As of midnight on the 19th, the number of severe patients hospitalized was 419, the highest in 54 days since September 26 (427 patients). On the same day, 65 deaths were reported, marking the third consecutive day with daily deaths in the 60s.

As of 5 p.m. on the 17th, there were 6,081 COVID-19 hospital beds available, with bed occupancy rates of 34.2% for severe beds, 48.1% for semi-severe beds, and 27.3% for moderate beds. In particular, the occupancy rate of semi-severe beds, where patients who have improved or are at high risk of worsening are admitted, is approaching 50%.

Park Hyang, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a briefing on the 18th, "We are closely monitoring the increase in deaths as confirmed cases rise," adding, "We are particularly focusing on vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness and death, paying attention to which age groups the deaths are concentrated in."

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