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| On the morning of the 15th, citizens wearing masks are moving off the train at Gwanghwamun Station on the Seoul subway. 2021.3.15/News1 © News1 Reporter Yoonsung Koo |
With 400 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) on the weekend, the possibility of a fourth epidemic is carefully raised.
From the 15th, the government has eased the ban on private gatherings so that up to eight people can gather for both family meetings before marriage or for gatherings with infants and young children. It is predicted that the number of confirmed cases could increase from the late 400 to 500 if contact between individuals increases due to the easing of distance in a situation where movement increases in spring.
The Central Disaster Countermeasures and Safety Headquarters announced that as of 0 o’clock on the 14th, the number of new corona19 confirmed cases was counted as 459. There were 400 confirmed cases for 6 consecutive days after the 9th. In the last week (8-14 days), the number of confirmed cases in Korea averaged 455 per day, up 17% from the previous week (389).
Nevertheless, as an exception to the ban on private gatherings of 5 or more people, the quarantine authorities allowed up to 8 people to meet up to 8 people before marriage or meetings with infants and children. As the first-birthday party specialty stores, which were actually limited in business, resumed operations, they could accommodate up to 99 people in the metropolitan area.
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| Citizens are riding bicycles at Hangang Park in Yeouido on the 14th, when the highest daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 13 degrees Celsius. 2021.3.14/News1 © News1 Reporter Min Kyung-seok |
Some predict that high-intensity social distancing has become virtually difficult. This is because citizens who are tired of the corona crisis that has continued for more than a year are showing their return to their daily lives. Recently, more and more people are leaving for pizza spring outings with flowers one by one in the clear spring weather.
“I went to Hangang Park last weekend because the weather is comfortable and good,” said Song Mo (female in her 30s) working in Jongno-gu, Seoul. did.
However, experts contend that it is not yet time to release the reins when the number of confirmed cases is increasing. The number of confirmed patients is 446 on the 8th, 470 on the 9th, 465 on the 10th, 488 on the 11th, 474 on the 12th, and 459 on the 13th, and so on, from 400 to 500 people a day for the last week.
As of 0 o’clock on the 15th, the number of confirmed patients fell to 300 within a week, but experts believe it is the effect of fewer weekend tests. In this situation, if distancing is eased, the corona will inevitably increase.
Eun-mi Chun, professor of respiratory internal medicine at Ewha University Mokdong Hospital <뉴스1>“Looking at the trend last week, there is a possibility that the number of confirmed cases will increase tremendously.” Situation” he said.
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| At the Elysian Party, a first-birthday specialty store located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 14th, officials are arranging the hall to resume business. 2021.3.14/News1 © News1 Reporter Jinhwan Kim |
Professor Eun-mi Chun said, “There is no big problem because the family we live with are already exposed to each other, but we have to be very careful when we meet with other people in different places, such as meetings and infants’ meetings.” It’s good to wear a mask,” he advised.
Professor Kim Yoon of Seoul National University Medical School said, “I do not expect the number of confirmed cases to increase immediately due to the relaxation of distance or the increase in the amount of travel in spring.”
Professor Kim said that there is a high possibility that the same level of trend will continue until summer. “By the end of June, the vaccination rate is expected to remain at 20%,” he said. “The high-risk group infection rate will be lower, but it will have little effect on younger infections.”
Mutant viruses, which are more infectious than existing viruses, also raise concerns. Choi Won-seok, a professor of infectious medicine at Korea University Ansan Hospital, pointed out that “the spread of the mutant virus to the community is a matter of time and a situation that was already predicted.”
Professor Choi emphasized, “It is important to block domestic transmission as much as possible in situations where the virus comes from outside,” and emphasized, “It is necessary to increase the vaccination rate and follow the existing quarantine rules such as wearing a mask to respond to mutations.”
Not only experts, but also quarantine authorities are calling for compliance with quarantine rules, warning of the possibility of re-proliferation.
Deputy head of the scriptwriter Kwon Deok-cheol (Minister of Health and Welfare) said, “The government is heavily aware of the current situation in which 400 new confirmed cases occur in Korea a day.” “The metropolitan area is so dangerous that it will not be strange if a large-scale outbreak occurs at any time,” he said.
He said, “In warm weather, increased outdoor activities and crowds in department stores and marts are also a big risk factor.” It won’t be possible” he pointed out.