<Anchor>

Flu cases usually drop sharply in the spring, but this year the flu epidemic didn't end, but the number of cases rebounded. The number of cold cases continues to rise, which authorities believe is due to the easing of COVID-19 prevention measures.

Jaehyun Park is a reporter.

< reporter>
The number of suspected influenza, or flu, with fever above
38 degrees and symptoms of sore throat, was 1.18 per 5,4 last week.

That's nearly four times the seasonal standard of 9.4, up nearly 11% in a month from 7.60 in the middle of last month.

The number of flu cases this season soared to 60.7 at the end of last year before dropping to 2.11 in mid-February.

Since then, however, it has increased slightly again, and in the last three weeks, it has increased sharply.

6~3-year-olds living in groups were the highest at 7.12 per 1,38 people, and 2~1-year-olds were also 6.

In addition, the number of cold patients infected with rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus has nearly doubled compared to the middle of last month.

The obligation to wear masks has been lifted in most spaces, and the increase in outdoor activities such as large daily crossings and the opening of schools is analyzed as the reason for the increase in flu and cold cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as quarantine measures are relaxed, respiratory viruses in the spring are as prevalent as they were before the pandemic, and urged workers in vulnerable facilities with respiratory symptoms to take extra precautions to prevent infection.

(Video editing by Hwang Ji-young)