[Reporter’s Notebook] The Endemic and Vulnerable Groups to Infection

On the 11th, when the 'endemic declaration' (the end of periodic infectious disease outbreaks) was made, during the Q&A session of the regular briefing by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on COVID-19, a reporter from a senior-focused publication said, "The number of confirmed cases is increasing. We ask to postpone the downgrade of the COVID-19 crisis level for the elderly aged 60 and over by 3 to 4 months." The government responded by saying, "COVID-19 can be sufficiently managed even under a routine and constant management system." They also explained the significance of the World Health Organization (WHO) lifting the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Although many people have said goodbye to COVID-19, vulnerable groups such as the elderly remain far from returning to normal life. Even now, about 10 people die daily. For the general public, COVID-19 is similar to the flu, but the fatality rate for those aged 80 and above reaches 2%. From June, the mandatory isolation for confirmed COVID-19 cases will be lifted. Masks will no longer be required in hospitals and pharmacies. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital warned, "Because of this, the high-risk elderly population who have not been properly vaccinated may be at risk." Going forward, COVID-19 statistics will be announced only four times a month. Social interest in the safety of the elderly may decrease. This is the shadow of the COVID-19 endemic.

The government will continue to support COVID-19 hospitalization costs, treatments, and vaccinations for the time being, but discontinuation is an expected step. Even before COVID-19, many people died from various viruses such as pneumonia and the flu, and COVID-19 will remain as one of them. Experts say, "This is a part of what society must endure and move forward with." There are even voices saying that the majority cannot sacrifice forever for the sake of a minority.

There is concern that this could lead to neglect of vulnerable groups. Until a true endemic is reached, the government must strive to raise the COVID-19 vaccination rate to the level of flu vaccination rates and establish a system where treatments can be prescribed upon infection. Above all, the endemic declaration is not the end of infectious diseases but the beginning of a new response.

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