Mid-to-late 300 today… School opening-spring outing-mutant virus’variable’ bandit

The’third pandemic’ of a new coronavirus infection in Korea (Corona 19) has continued for more than three and a half months since mid-November last year, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases has exceeded 90,000.

There are observations that the time has come to more reliably break the momentum of Corona 19 as the number of new confirmed cases, which once recorded 1,000 people, has descended to 300, and vaccination, which is evaluated as a “game changer,” is also in full swing. Rather, risk factors are lurking everywhere, and there is great concern about re-proliferation.

While the infection reproductive index, which means the spread of Corona 19, is still not falling below 1, it is still not getting out of the phase of’proliferation of the pandemic’, school classes and spring outings in March, small and medium-sized manufacturing industry in the environment of ‘3 wheat’ Group infection at workplaces, increased movement due to easing’social distancing’, and the spread of mutant viruses are considered as major variables.

The government plans to block the spread through measures for each risk factor, but if an unexpected group infection follows before vaccination takes effect, the size of confirmed cases is likely to increase again at any time.

◇ 300 people on the third day due to the holiday effect… Group infection spreads throughout everyday life

According to the Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Bangdaebon) on the 2nd, there were 355 new cases of Corona 19 as of 0 o’clock the previous day.

It decreased by 1 from the previous day (356), reaching the mid-300 level for two consecutive days.

This is the effect of a sharp decrease in the number of inspections on weekends and holidays compared to weekdays, and it is difficult to say that the spreading trend has declined.

The number of new confirmed cases to be announced as of 0 o’clock on this day is also expected to be on a similar scale due to the influence of Section 3 and 1.

The quarantine authorities and local governments, such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, numbered 319 new confirmed cases midway from 0:00 to 9:00 p.m. the previous day, 9 fewer than the previous day (328).

Considering the trend of not increasing the number of confirmed cases after 9 pm, it is expected to reach the mid-to-late 300 range.

The number of new confirmed cases showed a gradual decline this year, but after the Lunar New Year holiday (2.11-14) last month, group infections followed and increased to 600 and then decreased again, showing 300-400 in the last 10 days.

During the last week (2.23~3.1), the number of new confirmed patients per day was 356 → 440 → 395 → 388 → 415 → 356 → 355, a daily average of 386.

Among them, the number of confirmed cases of local outbreaks on average daily, which is a key indicator of the adjustment of the distance-taking stage, is 365, maintaining the scope of the second stage (over 300 persons nationwide).

In the case of major group outbreaks announced the day before by Bang Dae-bon, cases of infection, large and small, regardless of type and location, such as family and acquaintance meetings, restaurants, day care centers, marts, churches, manufacturing sites, and ski resorts, were confirmed.

12 people, including workers and visitors, were confirmed at restaurants in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and 16 people were positive in the case of acquaintances in Gwangjin-gu.

In addition, a total of 14 people, including children, at a daycare center located in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, and 22 at a box manufacturing site in Icheon City, respectively, were confirmed.

In addition, ▲ family gatherings in Sejong City (cumulative 6 people), ▲ Mart in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk (5 people) ▲ Church in Pohang City, Gyeongsangbuk-do (5 people) ▲ New group infections followed at the ski resort in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province (5 people).

◇ Increasing group infection in religious facilities, clubs, and gatherings… Face-to-face class concerns’still’

In this situation, risk factors are increasing, and concerns about re-proliferation remain unchanged.

First, the infection reproduction index, which indicates the extent of the spread of the epidemic, has not fallen below 1.

According to Bang Dae-bon, the national infection reproductive index for one week from the 21st to the 27th of last month was at 1.0 level, slightly lower than the previous week’s 1.12, but it did not fall below 1.

This index is an index indicating how many other people around the patient are infected by one confirmed person. If it is less than 1, it means’prevention of the epidemic’, and if it is more than 1, it means’the spread of the epidemic’.

Moreover, due to the increase in contact between individuals as measures to keep distance (Secondary metropolitan area 2nd stage, non-metropolitan area 1.5 stage) eased one step at a time, new group infection of various multi-use facilities such as martial arts halls, funeral homes, saunas, hot springs, academies, sports facilities, churches, etc. Cases followed one after another.

Another concern is the increasing amount of travel through outings, tours, and gatherings in the spring when the weather is warming.

Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Kwon Deok-cheol said at the meeting the day before, “A lot of people flocked to major tourist destinations and large shopping malls around the country, perhaps because of the three-day holiday and the warm weather.” “I am very concerned about whether my awareness of the situation has disappeared like a melting snow,” he said.

In addition to this, the risk of infection through face-to-face classes or after-school meetings is increasing as the new semester goes to school.

In a briefing the day before, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Bangdae Headquarters, said, “It is expected that classes in kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools will expand, and (person-to-person) contact will increase due to after-school activities and meetings.” It is predicted that the risk of infection will increase due to the increase in communal living such as activities, various events, meetings, and dormitories including welcome parties for new students.”

Deputy General Kwon also warned, “Corona 19 may re-proliferate if the quarantine rules are not properly followed at the time when the activity increases in the warm spring and the beginning of the new semester.”

The government checks the quarantine situation in public spaces and dormitories in schools, and focuses on quarantine on campus so that people with symptoms can be found early, and manages to ensure that quarantine regulations such as wearing a mask and prohibiting private gatherings of 5 or more people are thoroughly implemented. I decided to strengthen it.

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