South Korea lifts flu outbreak warning, cautions against COVID-19 spread

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on Friday (June 13) that it will lift the influenza outbreak advisory issued last December for the 2024-2025 season. The decision to lift the advisory will be determined through a consultation meeting and based on the number of influenza patients per designated physician for three consecutive weeks. An influenza patient is defined as one experiencing a fever above 38 degrees Celsius along with a cough and sore throat. According to the available data, the number of influenza patients per 1000 outpatients at sample surveillance medical institutions peaked at 99.8 during the first week of the year and then constantly decreased, falling to 6.7 in the first week of June. With the lifting of the influenza outbreak advisory, antiviral medications will only be covered by health insurance when a positive result is confirmed in influenza tests.
Meanwhile, Ji Young-mi, the head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, warned about the spread of COVID-19, with cases rising in several foreign countries. Raising the prospect of a potential summer outbreak, Ji urged the public to maintain hand hygiene, wear masks, and seek appropriate medical treatment when showing symptoms.