◀ anchor ▶
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 170,000 for the second day.
As the number of confirmed cases grows, there are many confirmed cases among infants and children who have not yet been vaccinated, and the number of deaths during home treatment is also increasing.
The government said it would strengthen emergency response to children and pregnant women.
Correspondent Jo Hee-won reported.
◀ Report ▶
Around 2 pm the other day, a report came in from Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do that a 4-month-old boy was not breathing.
The baby was diagnosed with Corona and was being treated at home with his parents.
[경기 수원남부소방서 관계자]
“Since the report was made, he was unconscious and not breathing, so the guardian was performing CPR. We took over and provided first aid…”
The infant was taken to the hospital in 10 minutes, but was ultimately declared dead.
In Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, a 7-year-old girl who was undergoing home treatment complained of chest pain and was taken to the hospital, but died the next day.
Prior to this, the number of deaths under the age of 9 increased to three over the past week, with a 7-month-old boy dying in Suwon on the 18th while receiving home treatment.
Quarantine authorities believe that the number of deaths is also increasing as infants and children are not vaccinated, and the number of confirmed cases is growing.
[임숙영/중앙방역대책본부 상황총괄단장]
“(Infants and children) are not vaccinated, so the weak resistance to Omicron seems to be contributing to the increase in the number of confirmed cases now.”
Experts also say that Omicron is not more dangerous for infants and children, even if they look at foreign cases.
[최원석/고려대 안산병원 감염내과 교수]
“Actually, in terms of the incidence or death of critically ill patients (infants and children), the rate is not yet epidemiologically higher (than adults).”
However, it is emphasized that infants and children cannot express their opinions properly, so if a fever persists or breathing difficulties occur, parents need to take preemptive measures such as calling 911 or taking them to the emergency room.
The government is also planning to establish a rapid hospitalization and treatment system by establishing a ‘hotline’ between the 119 ambulance team, emergency room, inpatient ward, and bed assignment team for children and pregnant women.
This is Jo Hee-won from MBC News.
Video coverage Jongsoo Kang / Editing video Yurim Oh
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