Seoul, South Korea – August 26 – The South Korean government has received a shipment of 177,000 doses of COVID-19 oral medication, according to Yonhap News Agency, signaling a potential return to normal drug supply within the coming days.
The country’s efforts to combat the pandemic have been bolstered by the arrival of this new batch of antiviral treatments. Dr. Son Young-rae, head of the COVID-19 response situation team, announced the development, stating that the government has been importing the medications in installments since August 15. A total of 262,000 doses have been secured, with over 50,000 doses already distributed across the nation. It is anticipated that the supply will continue to expand, meeting the growing demand.
Currently, approximately 5,000 doses of oral COVID-19 medication are prescribed daily. The Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) had previously allocated 326.8 billion Korean won (approximately USD 176 million) from the budget stabilization fund to purchase the additional 262,000 doses. These medications, arriving in stages, will be used for the treatment of high-risk individuals until the end of October.
Dr. Son assessed the current COVID-19 situation, noting that the rate of hospitalizations has been gradually slowing down since August 11-17. He predicts that the number of new cases for the week may be lower than initially forecasted, around 350,000. Data from the KDCA reveals that while hospitalizations have increased, the pace of growth has been easing. From 226 patients in hospitals in the third week of July, the number rose by 109.7% to 474 in the fourth week, 85.7% to 880 in the first week of August, and 55.2% to 1,366 in the second week. In the third week of August, the increase was only 5.7%, reaching 1,444 patients.
The country’s healthcare system has been under pressure due to the pandemic, but the slower rate of hospitalizations offers some relief. The government’s efforts to secure more oral medications are part of a broader strategy to manage the disease and reduce the burden on healthcare facilities.
In related news, Dr. Son also mentioned that the government is closely monitoring the situation and implementing targeted protection measures for high-risk groups, as the COVID-19 outbreak is expected to continue until the end of the month.
South Korea’s response to the pandemic has been praised for its rigorous testing and contact tracing programs. The introduction of oral medications is an additional tool in the fight against the virus, offering a more convenient treatment option for patients, particularly those who cannot receive intravenous treatments.
The country’s healthcare authorities continue to urge citizens to remain vigilant and follow guidelines, such as wearing masks and getting vaccinated, to minimize the spread of the virus. As the pandemic evolves, South Korea’s adaptive strategies demonstrate its commitment to protecting public health while mitigating the social and economic impact of the disease.
Additional Information:
- The KDCA has allocated substantial resources to procure COVID-19 treatments, reflecting the government’s commitment to controlling the outbreak.
- The effectiveness of the oral medications in reducing hospitalizations and severe illness is a key factor in managing the pandemic’s burden on the healthcare system.
- The slower growth in hospitalizations suggests that the current wave of infections may be plateauing, providing hope for a gradual return to normalcy.
Contact:
For further information, please contact the KDCA at kchy515@yna.co.kr.
This article is based on information provided by Yonhap News Agency and the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction and use of this content for AI development or other purposes is strictly prohibited.
【source】https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20240826003900881?section=news&input=rss
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