One out of three Covid-19 reinfection cases came from children and adolescents under 17, a government survey showed.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA) and Rep. Baek Jong-hean of the ruling People Power Party on Friday, 77,092 people tested positive for Covid-19 at least twice from January 2020, when Korea confirmed its first case, to July 9.
Of the total, children under 17 accounted for the most cases with 25,569 (33.2 percent), followed by 18-29 years old (19.2 percent), 30-39 (14.0 percent), 40-49 (12.1 percent), 50-59 (8.3 percent), 60-74 (9.2 percent), and over 75 (4 percent). The risk of reinfection was much higher among young people, with those aged 0 to 29 accounting for more than half of the total reinfection cases, with 52.4 percent.
Health experts said the large proportion of children, adolescents, and young people in reinfection cases might have a relationship with the fact that young people are leading the recent spread of the new epidemic.
According to the quarantine authorities, during the second week of July, teenagers and 20-somethings accounted for 19.2 and 16.3 percent of the total infections.
Health officials have also confirmed that 108 people tested positive for the virus three times, with those under 17 accounting for 51 cases.
As the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 increases for the fourth week, the government has decided to strengthen the management of cold medicines to respond to the re-emergence of the virus preemptively and the possible “twindemic.”
"In line with the recent resurging trend, the government will preemptively prepare for a resurgence by strengthening supply and demand control of cold medicines and check up on cremation facilities," Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min said.
Lee added that the government would focus its quarantine capabilities on the second booster shot, which can lower the risk of aggravation and death by notifying eligible recipients separately while providing support for psychological stability and daily recovery for those who have experienced adverse reactions from vaccination, the bereaved families of the inoculation-related deceased, and the families of severe patients.
On Friday, Korea's daily Covid-19 tally fell below 70,000 for the first time in five days amid the spread of a highly contagious Omicron subvariant.
The KDCA confirmed 68,632 new virus cases, raising the cumulative caseload to 19,077,659.
The death toll came to 24,825, up 31 from the previous day, with a fatality rate of 0.13 percent. Critically ill patients also increased from 107 to 130.
According to the agency, about 44.64 million among 52 million Koreans have been fully vaccinated. In addition, about 33.42 million people had received their first booster shots, and 4.98 million had their second booster shots.
On Monday, Korea expanded eligibility for second booster shots to people 50 and older, including 18 and older, with underlying health conditions.
Meanwhile, the quarantine officials confirmed another infection case by the newest Omicron variant BA.2.75, the third such case in Korea. Noting that the three patients have no epidemiological association with one another, some experts expressed concerns about the possibility of the most virulent and immunity-avoiding strain having already spread in some local communities.