|
 South Korea restored tough distancing curbs last week after easing
them in November, after a series of record daily new infections and
serious cases stretched medical services, despite a vaccination rate
of over 92% for those aged 18 or older.
Pfizer's oral antiviral treatment, called Paxlovid, is "expected to
help prevent serious deterioration of patients admitted to
residential treatment centers or being treated at home," by
diversifying coronavirus treatments beyond injections currently used
in the field, drug safety minister Kim Gang-lip told a press
briefing.
The drug will be used for adults or children 12 years or older
weighing over 40 kilograms with mild to moderate symptoms with a
high risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus due to causes
such as underlying diseases.
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 Another oral coronavirus treatment called
molnupiravir, developed by Merck known as MSD
outside of the United States and Canada, applied
for emergency use earlier this month, but the
ministry is still reviewing as they need
additional info on efficacy, Kim said.
(Reporting by Joyce LeeEditing by Shri
Navaratnam and Michael Perry)
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