Two Strains of Virus Hit South Korea, COVID-19 Death Toll Surges | WPN World People News

Since late December, South Korea has been grappling with the simultaneous spread of two A-type influenza viruses, "H1N1" and "H3N2." The medical consultation rate has reached an eight-year high, and the number of pneumonia-related deaths has surged, exacerbating the strain on funeral facilities. Crematoriums and funeral halls are overwhelmed, forcing many families to extend funeral durations.

Experts attribute the flu outbreak to a sudden drop in winter temperatures and increased human gatherings. Many infected individuals are experiencing high fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, with cases progressing to pneumonia. The elderly and those with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable. The South Korean government has urged citizens to get vaccinated and maintain personal hygiene, but vaccine supply and vaccination rates remain inadequate.

In addition, the overloaded funeral facilities in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, have highlighted deficiencies in public emergency response capabilities. South Korean funerals traditionally follow a "three-day funeral" system: the first day involves preparing the body and setting up the memorial, the second day for encoffining, and the third day for cremation. However, due to limited crematorium availability, many families have been forced to extend funerals to the fourth day or seek facilities in nearby cities such as Sejong. These locations, however, are also overwhelmed. Experts recommend the government urgently expand medical and funeral resources and strengthen measures to monitor and control virus transmission.

The head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) stated, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost no one contracted influenza, so many individuals and communities lack immunity, leading to the concurrent outbreaks of 'H1N1' and 'H3N2'." Alarmingly, reports suggest that the peak of the flu season has not yet arrived, raising concerns that infection and death tolls may continue to rise.