South Korea’s Disease Control and Prevention Agency says the lifting of the country’s mask mandate has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of patients with respiratory infections.
The increase has been particularly concerning among infants.
In a statement, the Agency said in the past seven weeks 13,268 patients had been hospitalised at 220 Government-monitored medical institutions.
“The figure is more than 13 times the 1,002 people hospitalised during the same period last year,” the Agency said.
“In particular, the number of flu patients surged from 23 in Spring 2022 to 941 this Spring, while the numbers of rhinovirus and adenovirus patients jumped more than 10-fold from 314 to 3,828 and 79 to 924, respectively.”
It said most of the patients were infants and toddlers aged six and under.
As of the second week of April, rhinoviruses were the most detected type of virus with 17.8 per cent, followed by adenoviruses with 11.6 per cent and human parainfluenza viruses with 10.8 per cent.
“In order to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, we advise people to most importantly to follow basic personal hygiene rules,” the Agency said.
“Please cover your mouth with tissue or your sleeve when coughing; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; and wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with running water and soap.”
Seoul, 1 May 2023
