Korea may face 'twindemic' of COVID-19, flu this winter

A child receives a shot of an influenza vaccine at a clinic in Songpa District, Seoul, Sept. 14. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-suk

Respiratory diseases may spread more easily under eased quarantine rules

By Lee Hyo-jin

Last year's flu season here was unusually mild thanks to COVID-19 precautions, but things may be different this year, according to health experts, who warn that the country may face a so-called "twindemic" of coronavirus and influenza infections this winter.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a family of viruses that infect the nose, throat and even lungs in serious cases. Common symptoms of the illness include a high fever, coughing and a sore throat.

Each year, the country grapples with a flu season which usually begins at the end of November, reaches its peak in December and lasts until as late as April.

Last year, however, the recorded number of flu patients was significantly lower compared to previous years, thanks to the COVID-19-induced measures such as face masks, social distancing rules and enhanced personal hygiene.

But experts warn of a possible double whammy of the seasonal illness and the coronavirus this winter. They worry that this may put serious strains on the public healthcare system, which is already struggling with a recent surge of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

"Respiratory diseases spread easily in the cold winter weather. We saw an unusual drop in flu rates last season thanks to mandatory face mask rules along with fewer gatherings and reduced traveling," said Chon Eun-mi, a respiratory disease specialist at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital.

"However, following relaxed social distancing rules under the Living with COVID-19 scheme, we may see flu rates go up again as more people begin to gather and travel to other parts of the country," she said.

Since Nov.1, under the goal of returning to normal life, the government has significantly eased social distancing regulations such as private gathering bans and curfews on cafes and restaurants.

Chon added, "I'm also concerned that people are becoming less vigilant about COVID-19 infections. Also, increased travel between borders may bring in influenza from countries with less strict quarantine measures."

She advised high-risk groups including pregnant women and children to receive the flu vaccine.

A medical worker collects a sample from a person at a makeshift screening center near Seoul Station, Nov. 9. Yonhap

Jacob Lee, a professor of infectious diseases at Hallym University Medical Center, also said, "At this point, when in-person contact is set to increase following eased distancing measures, it is certainly possible to have outbreaks of both the flu and COVID-19.

"The medical system needs to be prepared to treat not only pandemic patients but also those suffering from other respiratory diseases, while people should be aware of the need to maintain personal hygiene," he said.

Data show that the country is already seeing more flu patients compared to last year.

According to weekly information from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), in the fourth week of October, 20 to 29 out of 1,000 visitors to hospitals were reported to have influenza-like symptoms, up from 17, which was the highest figure during last flu season.

But not as many people are participating in the nationwide flu vaccination drive carried out by the government every year. A free flu vaccine is offered annually to children aged under 13 and the elderly population aged above 65, along with pregnant women.

As of Oct. 31, 46 percent of children under 13 have been vaccinated against the flu, while 65 percent of people aged over 65 have been inoculated, according to the KDCA. The figures are 27 percentage points and 11 percentage points lower than those as of Oct. 31 last year, respectively.

Adding to the concerns of the health authorities is an unusual surge of "parainfluenza" infections, which is known to be more active in warmer seasons. Some 593 infections were reported in the fifth week of October, up from 59 in the third week of September. Among them, 92 percent were children aged six and under.

"Parainfluenza is widely known as the summer flu as it typically spreads between late spring and late summer. The recent rise in infections at this time of the year, which is highly unusual, can be seen as a sign of a possible severe flu season," Lee Sang-won, a senior official at the KDCA, said during a briefing, Nov. 2.

Against this backdrop, the KDCA urged eligible recipients to not only receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but also a flu shot, adding that the two injections can be administered at the same time.

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