A citizen who visited the Corona 19 screening center in Seoul Station Square on the morning of the 15th, when the number of new corona virus infections recorded 125,846, is being tested. [사진 출처 = 연합뉴스]From the end of next month, the duty to isolate those infected with the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) will disappear. Face-to-face treatment is possible at all hospitals and clinics, but the cost of treatment will be borne by the person himself/herself.
On the 15th, the government announced the ‘Post Omicron Response Plan’ containing the contents of routineizing the quarantine and medical systems, such as designating Corona 19, which is currently a first-class infectious disease, as a second-class infectious disease.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (critical script) said, “We have fully understood the characteristics of Omicron, and are equipped with effective weapons such as vaccines and therapeutics.” We will promote the transition to a general medical system so that hospitals can be diagnosed and treated.”
The post-Omicron response plan presents a roadmap for returning to the pre-COVID-19 level of quarantine and medical systems. First of all, the government designated Corona 19 as a second-grade infectious disease, such as tuberculosis, measles, cholera, and chickenpox, through the revision of the notice on the 25th of this month. If this happens, even if a person is confirmed, the 7-day quarantine obligation will disappear, but instead become a recommendation. In addition, as the quarantine obligation is eliminated, government support for living expenses, paid vacation expenses, and medical expenses will also disappear. In other words, if you are infected with COVID-19, the government pays for the hospital fee, but in the future, the health insurance and the patient themselves will bear the cost. Also, COVID-19 testing and diagnosis are carried out in private medical institutions, and in public health centers, those aged 60 and over and workers in nursing hospitals and facilities. Only PCR (gene amplification) of high-risk groups will be in charge.
Corona treatment will be freely available at all medical institutions. The concept of home treatment will also disappear.
Such medical and quarantine management, equivalent to a second-grade infectious disease, will be implemented from the 23rd of next month at the earliest. The government designated the ‘preparation period’ until just before the 25th of this month, when Corona 19 was designated as the second level, and the ‘transition period’ for 4 weeks after the 25th, preparing for the transition to the medical system in stages, and preparations for the implementation of the post-omicron strategy are at the completion stage. It plans to declare a ‘settlement period’ as soon as possible. During the transition period, the current management system, such as the 7-day quarantine for confirmed cases, home treatment for high-risk groups, and support for treatment and living expenses, will be maintained.
The number of hospital beds dedicated to Corona is expected to decrease significantly. Currently, a total of 32,802 beds are reserved exclusively for COVID-19. Of these, only 4191 beds for critically ill patients will remain.
Inspection for foreign entrants will also be simplified. Arrivals are currently undergoing PCR testing on the first day of entry and rapid antigen testing on the 6th to 7th days of entry.
Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom said, “The government will strengthen the monitoring system in preparation for new mutations and re-emergences while promoting daily recovery, and promptly restart medical resources when a crisis is detected.” Please do not forget and continue to abide by the quarantine rules.”
[고득관 매경닷컴 기자]
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