 Citizens line up for influenza A tests at Korea University Guro Hospital in Seoul, Monday. Inoculations using a domestic flu vaccine will start today. / Korea Times Photo by Koh Young-kwon |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Five people infected with influenza A (H1N1) died Monday, the highest daily report of casualties from the fast-spreading pandemic.
Two handicapped children ― a nine-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl ― died while being treated for H1N1. Autopsies are being conducted to determine whether they died of the new flu or other causes.
According to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, the deaths of three more people ― a 14-year-old middle school student and two women in their 70s were confirmed to be flu-related.
If the latest victims' deaths are confirmed to be H1N1-based, the death toll will rise to 25 ― the first death was confirmed on Aug. 15.
The ministry plans to vaccinate 35 percent of the country's 49 million population, with those deemed highly-vulnerable including medical staff given priority. The first round of vaccinations will start today.
Meanwhile, the government is stepping up efforts to get influenza A (H1N1) vaccines to hospitals in time to deal with an increasing number of people who want to get inoculated.
But with rumors of a shortage in stockpiles, the health authorities may have to prepare not just for the pandemic itself but also people panicking.
Hundreds of people were seen lined up in front of public healthcare centers and designated hospitals throughout the weekend to get vaccinated against the new flu.
``Last night, I felt really cold and coughed a lot. Normally I would think it was just a cold but after hearing news about the flu, I became very nervous,'' 30-year-old Lee Eun-young said after she returned from a hospital Saturday.
The ministry is considering shutting schools temporarily to contain any rapid transmission, as more than 41,500 students in 870 schools nationwide have been infected with the flu virus, as the rate of transmission has been growing fast.
On Oct. 22, there were 1,109 people confirmed with the flu in Seoul alone. ``There are so many students infected with the disease, even I am scared of the flu,'' said an elementary school teacher in southern Seoul.
The number of patients is expected to rise at a dramatic pace as flu viruses are more active at low temperatures.
``We are receiving phone calls from early in the morning to late at night. Many people are simply worried, but considering the deaths as a result of inadequate primary care, we have listen to every symptom they have,'' said a healthcare center staff member in Gangnam, southern Seoul, adding the office is ready for the vaccinations, which will start today.
The vaccines were delivered to large hospitals Monday afternoon from domestic drug maker Green Cross Korea. The health ministry said inoculations will be administered first to medical staff, patients, the elderly, pregnant women and infants.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
