[현장생중계]Central Defense Response Headquarters Briefing (December 24) | YTN

[이상원 / 중앙방역대책본부 역학조사분석단장]

The cumulative number of confirmed cases is 53,533.

Currently, 15,352 people are undergoing quarantine treatment and 291 patients with severe gastric disorders.

Yesterday there were 17 deaths and the cumulative death toll was 756.

I wish the deceased people’s blessings and wishes to the bereaved family with a word of deep consolation.

The previous day, I will explain the major domestic outbreaks.

In relation to the special school in Gwangju City, Gyeonggi-do, 16 more were confirmed during the contact investigation after the first confirmed case occurred on December 22, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases to date is 17.

Regarding the second call center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 14 additional contacts were confirmed during the investigation after the first confirmed case on December 20, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases to date is 15.

In relation to the second religious facility in Gumi City, Gyeongbuk, 32 additional people were confirmed during the investigation of the contact after the first confirmed case occurred on December 20, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases to date is 33.

In relation to a nursing home in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, 10 additional contacts were confirmed during the investigation after the first confirmed case on December 19th, and a total of 11 cases have been accumulated to date.

In relation to the family family in Namdong-gu, Incheon, 14 additional cases were confirmed during the investigation of the contact after the first confirmed cases on December 19th, and a total of 15 cases have been accumulated to date.

In connection with hospitals in Goesan-gun, Eumseong-gun and Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, 20 more were confirmed during joint quarantine follow-up and contact investigations, so the cumulative number of confirmed patients is 145.

During the investigation of religious facilities in Jeju-si, Jeju-do, 19 additional people were confirmed, and a total of 138 people have been confirmed to date.

Guardians in charge of the security of former President Lee Myung-bak’s sister-in-law have been confirmed as Corona 19 and will tell the situation.

Ten guardians working as a security guard for former president Lee Myung-bak located in Gangnam, Seoul were confirmed to be corona19.

The first confirmed cases were confirmed on December 22, and additional confirmed cases were confirmed through the Corona 19 test conducted afterwards, and are currently receiving treatment at a medical institution or waiting for transfer.

All workers, including her sister’s guards, were tested for Corona 19 and then went into self-isolation.

If additional data on other occurrences are required, we will explain in detail through the spokesperson’s office after the briefing.

Looking at the current situation calmly, Korea has the lowest incidence rate among OECD countries along with New Zealand.

Although the current healthcare infrastructure faces serious challenges, it has not led to a medical collapse like many countries.

However, this situation is by no means positive now.

The situation is very worrisome and tense for the quarantine authorities to defeat the virus.

I have no choice but to say that I am very sorry for the quarantine authorities, as many people have participated and despite the hard work of quarantine officials, the number of new patients has not yet been reduced to the level of 1,000 every day.

It is winter when the virus is more viable.

The seasonal nature of the year-end and New Year meetings and the emergence of new mutant viruses are also a concern.

But the most worrisome part is the overwork situation of frontline medical staff, quarantine officials, and epidemiological investigators who have to sustain all of this.

These are the key people who have supported Korea’s quarantine.

Until now, Korea’s quarantine strategy, the linkage system that leads to inspection, tracking, and management, and the social distancing of public participation are one of the textbook-based countermeasures that are faithful to the basics from the epidemiological point of disease.

And based on this, we are trying to confront the trend with a scientific and large-scale response strategy. Through more proactive tests, more tests will block the epidemic. In addition, we will ensure that active compliance with quarantine rules can be effectively achieved.

Here, the active participation of the citizens is an essential element.

Tomorrow is Christmas.

I am very sorry and grateful for the medical staff who cannot leave the patient’s side even at this time, the people who are guarding the screening clinic even in cold weather, and the quarantine officials and epidemiological investigators who are working hard to protect patients more safely.

In addition, I would like to plead for Christmas tomorrow.

We are well aware that tomorrow is a special and blessed day, but the current situation of Corona 19 is very serious.

We are deeply grateful for the hard work and love of our neighbors for the active efforts of the religious community and members of the church.

Thanks to this, group infections through religious facilities have decreased significantly, but infections are increasing again due to religious gatherings at the end of the year.

In accordance with special measures to strengthen quarantine during the year-end and New Year holidays, religious events from today to January 3 are in principle non-face-to-face.

It is common in all regions of the country, and religious events held by only a small number of members are prohibited, and meetings and meals organized by religious facilities are prohibited.

These measures are primarily to protect the health of believers.

Also, I know that religious people are devoted to caring for the vulnerable.

Unfortunately, contrary to the original purpose of the declaration, it is also aimed at preventing the possibility of spreading community infections through it.

We ask for your deep understanding and cooperation from religious leaders and believers.

The quarantine authorities will also do their best to find patients and secure medical response capabilities through more active diagnostic tests and follow-up during the special quarantine period during the year-end and New Year period.