보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Changes to the at-home treatment scheme starting August 1
증상이 있으면 신속히 대면 진료받을 수 있도록 재택치료체계 개편
 
 
PRESS RELEASE
Jul 29, 2022
 
 
Starting from August 1 (Monday), confirmed cases under at-home treatment will not be divided into intensive care groups or general management groups. COVID-19 cases who have symptoms will be able to receive prompt medical care and be prescribed medications as needed. This change applies to patients whose specimens for diagnostic test was collected on or after August 1.
 
The Central Disaster Management Headquarters announced “Medical Response Plan for COVID-19 Resurgence Preparation (July 13)”, whereby the at-home treatment system will be reorganized to ensure prompt face-to-face medical care for confirmed cases who develop symptoms while under at-home treatment.
 
This change takes into account recent improvements in the epidemic response system, such as the expansion of face-to-face medical care infrastructure and the expansion of preions for oral therapeutics, and is based on comprehensive consideration of expert opinions on the importance of early, nearby access to face-to-face care, citing instances where missed timing for appropriate care such as oral therapeutics led to the monitored patient developing more serious symptoms.
 
For patients who have symptoms, the government will continue to guide the patient to receive early treatment through prompt face-to-face medical care, and will continue to operate a 24-hour response system, including at night and on public holidays. Information related to face-to-face medical care is added and sent to confirmed cases when they receive isolation notices by text message, in effect since July 27.
 
Confirmed cases who have symptoms such as fever can receive in-person medical care and be prescribed oral antivirals at a one-stop medical institution (search for “one-stop medical institution” on a web portal or at https://www.safemap.go.kr/main/smap.do)
 
Government will continue to strengthen public guidance such as by distributing materials with a face-to-face medical care notice, a list of one-stop medical institutions and medical consultation centers that operate 24 hours a day, and guidance on precautions after getting tested, at screening clinics to help people who are getting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, especially the elderly, easily locate and visit one-stop medical institutions.
 
24-hour medical consultation centers for nighttime and public holidays (171 locations as of July 29) will continue to operate. The list and contact information of medical consultation centers by region can also be found at the websites of local government and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). For more efficient operation, local governments will be encouraged to set up and operate 24-hour medical consultation centers at COVID-19 hub hospitals and hospitals with 24-hour operation capacity.
 
The Central Disaster Management Headquarters once again emphasized that this reorganization of the home treatment system is a measure to protect high-risk patients from developing serious symptoms by accurately checking the patient's condition through face-to-face medical care and promptly administering oral antirivals.
 
The Headquarters also announced that it will continue to promote and guide and inspect the sites with related organizations and local governments to ensure there is no confusion on site due to the reorganization of the system.
 
//For Inquiries contact Media Relations, Ministry of Health and Welfare
044-202-2047 or fairytale@korea.kr