Although COVID-19 Has Become Endemic... Flu and Cold Respiratory Illnesses Continue to Spread

Cold medicine [Image source=Yonhap News]

Although COVID-19 has reached an endemic phase (periodic outbreak of infectious diseases), the spread of contagious respiratory illnesses continues.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 14th, the proportion of outpatients visiting hospitals and clinics with suspected influenza (flu) symptoms in the past week (April 30 to May 6) was 23.7 per 1,000 patients. This is an increase from the previous week (23.0) and marks the seventh consecutive week of rising cases. Typically, the flu season runs from October to February of the following year, but since the lifting of various COVID-19 restrictions last winter, the flu has been spreading continuously.

The KDCA analyzes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, mandatory mask-wearing prevented exposure to viruses, but with the return to normal life, people have become more vulnerable to infections. In particular, suspected flu cases were concentrated among elementary, middle, and high school students aged 13 to 18 years (48.9 per 1,000) and 7 to 12 years (48.7 per 1,000). The number of hospitalizations due to the flu reached 198, a significant increase compared to the COVID-19 pandemic period (8 in 2020 → 4 in 2021 → 3 in 2022).

Cold patients are also increasing. The number of patients hospitalized with viral acute respiratory infections was 2,069, more than eight times higher than last year (257). Acute respiratory infections include adenovirus, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Symptoms similar to a cold, such as coughing, runny nose, sore throat, and headache, appear. Most cases improve within a week, but in infants and young children with weak immune systems, it can sometimes lead to severe illness. As of last week, the detection rates of respiratory viruses were highest for rhinovirus at 19.9%, followed by adenovirus and influenza virus at 12.9% each, and respiratory syncytial virus at 11.4%.

Following the declaration of endemic status 3 years and 4 months after the onset of COVID-19, from next month, masks will no longer be required even in clinics and pharmacies. However, for chronic disease patients with low immunity, wearing masks may still be helpful for the time being. Experts emphasize that those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and similar conditions should continue to follow daily quarantine guidelines until the respiratory virus outbreak subsides.

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