As the COVID-19 epidemic has intensified due to the spread of Omicron mutations, the government has decided to implement the fourth vaccination starting at the end of this month to protect those at high risk of infection.
Deok-cheol Kwon, 1st Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Corporate Headquarters), said in a remark at the major headquarters meeting today (14th), "As the number of confirmed cases of the elderly 60 years and older increases again, from the end of February, those with weakened immunity, and residents of nursing homes and facilities We are planning a fourth vaccination against
The proportion of confirmed patients over the age of 60 has increased every week from 8.0% → 9.2% → 11.7% in the past three weeks.
Regarding the current epidemic situation, Minister Kwon said, "The number of confirmed cases has increased tenfold in just three weeks after Omicron was converted to a dominant species, and it is currently recording 50,000 daily. The number of at-home treatments has risen to 230,000 cumulatively,” he explained.
Omicron mutations have a strong propagation power, but a relatively low aggravation rate.
As a result, the utilization rate of critically ill beds remains in the 20% range.
In this regard, 1st Deputy Director Kwon said, "The government is changing the quarantine strategy to minimize the severity and death in accordance with the characteristics of Omicron, and is completely transforming the quarantine and medical system."
Specifically, Deputy Director Kwon said, "Concentrate testing and treatment on the 'intensive management group' for home treatment, such as those aged 60 and over, who are at high risk of aggravation and death, and quarantine and medical personnel secured through the reorganization of the existing 3T (Test-Isolation-Treatment System). is being reassigned to the management of home therapists."
The government has secured up to 674 managed medical institutions to manage up to 200,000 intensive care units undergoing home treatment.
In addition, from the 10th, a home treatment medical consultation center and an administrative information center have been opened and operated.
In addition, the government secured medical institutions for childbirth, dialysis, and pediatric patients, and for the 'general management group' for home treatment, which is mostly mild and asymptomatic, 4,000 participating medical institutions to receive phone consultations and prescriptions from local hospitals and clinics. It has been expanded to 400 locations.
While referring to this, Kwon said, "The delay in the transition to the quarantine and medical system has been delayed compared to the rapid increase in Omicron, causing concern and confusion among the people. We ask for your understanding."
Deputy Director Kwon also said, "From today, when subsidizing living support expenses to people hospitalized or quarantined due to COVID-19, the payment standard will be improved to the number of actual quarantined people in the household rather than the number of household members, and the upper limit for additional support for home healers and paid vacation support will also be increased. We will adjust it to suit reality,” he said.
“Considering that the burden of tax payment is high on the public due to the prolonged COVID-19, we will extend or defer the filing and payment deadlines and collection of local taxes for up to one year,” he added.
Deputy Director Kwon said, "To alleviate the anxiety in the supply and demand of COVID-19 self-test kits, we will supply 30 million kits by the end of this month."