Health authorities expand anti-COVID task force for intensive response to summer wave
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean health authorities have beefed up their COVID-19 response team and will implement tougher antivirus measures as the country is experiencing a new wave nationwide, officials said Tuesday.
It has seen a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, with virus hospitalizations at 220 major medical institutions nationwide rising sixfold in a month to come to 861 as of the first week of August, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
In an effort to curb the spread, the KDCA has decided to expand the virus response team to enhance monitoring of the situation at home and abroad, analysis of infections and the management of treatment and other medical supplies.
A director-level official had led the task force, but KDCA chief Jee Young-mee now leads the widened entity for swifter responses, it added.
"Given the virus trend over the past two years, the country is expected to see a surge in patients through the end of this month," a KDCA official said.
The government will also set up a consultative body with experts for regular discussions about the trend and antivirus measures. Their first meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
The current wave is primarily led by KP.3, which constituted 45.5 percent of cases in South Korea last month and is also driving the summer wave elsewhere around the world.
More than 90 percent of the patients suffer mild symptoms and the country is able to handle the situation under the current medical system, but it is crucial to adhere to preventive measures, the KDCA said.
"The fatality and severity of the Omicron subvariant that has driven the virus wave are relatively low, but a majority of inpatients are senior citizens and high-risk groups," the official noted.
The government plans to resume its vaccination campaign in October, where high-risk groups will be administered vaccines for free.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
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