Flu cases in Korea surge amid increase in social interactions

A Seoul hospital is crowded with sufferers, Monday. Yonhap

The variety of flu sufferers right here has soared in current months as extra individuals have turn out to be ailing amid rising ranges of social interactions, well being authorities stated Wednesday.

Authorities are urging the general public to get vaccinated forward of the Lunar New 12 months vacation as individuals normally go to their hometowns to satisfy household and mates. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have additionally been on the rise just lately.

The Korea Illness Management and Prevention Company (KDCA) stated that suspected influenza circumstances surged within the final week of December, with 73.9 circumstances per 1,000 outpatients between Dec. 22 and 28. This determine is 2.4 occasions larger than the 31.3 circumstances reported the week earlier than.

The best recorded quantity was 86.2 in 2016, marking the height from eight years in the past.

COVID-19 hospitalizations additionally noticed a pointy enhance throughout the identical interval, with 111 new inpatients recorded, a 1.7 occasions rise from the earlier week’s 66 circumstances.

Hospitals throughout the nation are seeing a surge in flu sufferers, resulting in lengthy wait occasions and crowded circumstances.

„There have been so many individuals on the hospital, although it was a small one in my neighborhood,“ stated a freelancer in her 50s surnamed Hong. „As quickly because the physician checked my fever, I used to be examined for the flu and obtained a constructive consequence.“

She added that many sufferers had been coughing, and people with fevers had been instantly despatched to a delegated room for flu checkups.

The overwhelming inflow of sufferers has left many hospitals struggling to accommodate everybody.

„I went to see a physician round 11:20 a.m. as a result of I had a runny nostril, however the morning registration had already closed as a result of variety of sufferers,“ Jung Hae-won, a 26-year-old workplace employee, stated.

„Many hospitals shut after 6 p.m., which is normally after workplace hours, so I nonetheless couldn’t see a physician,“ she stated.

A poster offering details about flu and COVID-19 vaccinations is displayed at a clinic in Seoul, Dec. 26. Yonhap

The flu outbreak is hitting younger individuals aged 18 and below significantly laborious.

Knowledge from the final week of 2024 reveals that the best an infection price was amongst these aged 13 to 18, with 151.3 circumstances per 1,000 outpatients, adopted by 137.3 circumstances for youngsters aged 7 to 12. Adults aged 19 to 49 recorded 93.6 circumstances, whereas the speed amongst these aged 65 and older was 20.3.

The KDCA has suggested getting vaccinated forward of the Lunar New 12 months vacation, warning that elevated journey and gatherings might speed up the unfold of influenza and COVID-19.

The well being company additionally said that the influenza vaccine is intently aligned with the strains presently in circulation, providing sturdy safety in opposition to the virus.

It emphasised the significance of COVID-19 vaccination, noting that the vaccine successfully builds immunity in opposition to the variants now spreading in Korea.

„To make sure a secure and wholesome Lunar New 12 months vacation with household, we urge high-risk teams, together with seniors aged 65 and older, pregnant ladies and youngsters, to get vaccinated upfront in the event that they haven’t already,“ KDCA Commissioner Ji Younger-mi stated.