Now COVID-19 Is an 'Endemic'... Enjoying Daily Life While 7 Elderly People Die Every Day

Although the government declared COVID-19 'endemic (periodic infectious disease outbreak)' after 3 years and 4 months, a significant number of elderly deaths continue to occur daily. Experts say, "The key in the endemic era is how well vaccination, the protective measure, can boost the immunity of high-risk groups." The government plans to continue testing and treatment support for these groups for the time being.

The Approaching Endemic
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among the 47 COVID-19 deaths in the first week of May (April 30?May 6), 43 (91.5%) were aged 60 or older. Those in their 80s accounted for the largest number at 25 (53.2%), followed by 11 (23.4%) in their 70s and 7 (14.9%) in their 60s. A quarantine official stated, "When adjusted for daily averages, 100% of the 7 daily deaths are aged 60 or older," adding, "Although the global risk of COVID-19 has decreased, deaths among high-risk groups continue." During the same period, among the daily average of 137 critically ill patients, 118 (85.1%) were aged 60 or older. The COVID-19 fatality rates for those in their 70s (0.44%) and 80 or older (1.91%) are 18 times and 4 times higher, respectively, than the general population (0.11%).

The proportion of confirmed cases aged 60 or older has also gradually increased over the past four weeks, from 26.5% to 27.1%, then 29.2%, and 29.5%. Unlike the general population, who can live daily life without testing even if infected, high-risk groups find it difficult to endure COVID-19 symptoms and thus visit hospitals more frequently. Highly contagious COVID-19 variants continue to emerge. The detection rate of XBB.1.16, which has been reported to cause conjunctivitis symptoms, has risen from 5.7% to 9.9%.

The low vaccination rate among high-risk groups, who need protection in an era where COVID-19 infection still allows going out, raises further concerns. Once among the highest in the world, the vaccination rate ended the last winter season at only the 30% range for those aged 60 and above. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "In Korea, vaccination rates have been low while COVID-19 outbreaks and variants are circulating in a pattern opposite to overseas trends. This could put high-risk groups in danger. The prerequisite for transitioning to normal life is vaccination of high-risk groups."

COVID-19 will now be managed within the general healthcare system. Although not immediately, COVID-19 testing and hospitalization costs will become out-of-pocket expenses, and COVID-19 treatments will be incorporated into the health insurance system, resulting in co-payments. All measures will be completed by the first half of next year at the latest. This decision is based on the assessment that medical response capacity is sufficient and outbreak prediction is possible, so government support cannot be further strengthened solely for COVID-19. A government official said, "Support for COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and infection prevention will continue for the time being," adding, "This is why a three-stage roadmap for gradual re-entry into normal life has been prepared." Starting from the 15th of this month until the 30th of next month, a 'targeted vaccination' campaign will be conducted for high-risk groups to reduce their exposure to infection risk.

Jung Ki-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, said, "(To achieve normal life recovery together) I advise the government at every Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting to increase vaccination rates among high-risk groups and prescription rates of treatments at medical institutions," adding, "Raising the vaccination rate of high-risk groups to 80%, similar to influenza levels, and treatment prescription rates to 100% will be the key to reducing their mortality in the endemic era."

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