COVID-19 Cases Decrease While Flu Increases... "Thorough Preparation for Chuseok Holiday"

While the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has decreased, influenza (flu) patients are on the rise.

Park Min-su, Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated in his opening remarks at the headquarters meeting on the 22nd, "Even after COVID-19 was reclassified as a Level 4 infectious disease, the same as influenza, on the 31st of last month, the quarantine situation has remained stable." Last week, the average daily number of COVID-19 positive cases was around 1,600, marking a decline for five consecutive weeks. The nationwide severe bed occupancy rate remains below 30%.

Park Min-su, Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), is giving opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 22nd.

Deputy Head Park said, "This Chuseok holiday is the first since most COVID-19 quarantine measures were lifted and the system transitioned to general medical care," adding, "We will provide information on hospitals prescribing oral antiviral treatments, pharmacies dispensing medications, and screening clinics open during the holiday, and prepare to ensure uninterrupted access to medical services during the holiday period." He continued, "Please check the operating hours and whether COVID-19 diagnosis and testing are available in advance before visiting medical institutions," and urged, "to protect high-risk groups, hospitals with inpatient wards and residential infection-vulnerable facilities should wear masks and practice personal quarantine measures such as handwashing and cough etiquette."

Meanwhile, the number of flu patients is increasing. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, during the past week (September 10?16), the number of influenza-like illness patients (patients showing suspected symptoms) visiting 196 sentinel surveillance medical institutions nationwide was 13.1 per 1,000 outpatients. This exceeds twice the 2023?2024 flu season epidemic threshold of 6.5 per 1,000. It is also a 16% increase compared to the previous week.

The KDCA recommends vaccination participation especially for high-risk groups. This year’s national influenza vaccination program offers free vaccinations until April 30 for children aged 6 months to 13 years, pregnant women, and those aged 65 and older.

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