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The domestic Corona 19 infection reproduction index, which was at the level of 1.5 at the end of November, steadily declined to 1.0 in the last week. The daily average of new cases and group infections also decreased. The quarantine authorities revealed that it is judged that the spread of Corona 19 in Korea is slowly passing its peak.
At a regular briefing on the 3rd, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division, said, “As a result of expanding preemptive inspections and continuing to strengthen distance, the spread of this third epidemic is being stopped. Or it is judged that the peak is passing gently.”
Average daily decrease in domestic cases
According to the statistics of the quarantine authorities, from December 27 to January 2, the daily average number of domestic outbreaks for one week was 931.3, a decrease of 85.7 from 1017 the previous week. In particular, during the same period, the average daily occurrence in Korea over the age of 60 was 284.1, down 34 from 318.1 the previous week.
By region, the average daily number of patients in the metropolitan area over the past week was 652.1, and 279.1 in the non-metropolitan area, down from the previous week. In addition, the number of intensive care units available immediately after dropping to 38 three weeks ago increased to 191 last week, a week later.
Reduced cases of group infection
The incidence of new population infections also gradually decreased.
The number of new cases of group infection in Korea was counted as 71 cases between December 13th and 19th, three weeks ago, and 53 cases from December 20th to 26th. Then, from December 27 to January 2, it decreased by more than half to 21 cases.
Decreased Infectious Reproduction Index
The infectious material production index also decreased from 1.28 on December 13th to 19th to 1.11 on December 20th to 26th, and decreased again to 1.0 in the last week. When the infection reproduction index, which means an additional infected person born by one infected person, is 1 or less, it is evaluated that it can be managed within the quarantine network.
At the end of November, the infectious material production index soared to 1.5, predicting the occurrence of more than 1,000 new cases. The number of confirmed cases in the range of 1,000 per day came to life in December. However, as the number of new confirmed cases gradually decreased, the reproductive index seemed to have dropped to 1.
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‘Not a definite decline’
However, the rate of investigation into the infection route and the rate of management in the quarantine network did not significantly decrease. Of the 6,519 confirmed cases this week, a total of 1804 were being investigated, accounting for 27%. It increased rather than the previous week (25.6%).
The management ratio in the quarantine network, which is the percentage of people who are confirmed in self-isolation, also showed no significant difference from 34% this week to 33% last week.
Sohn Young-rae said, “It is still too early to judge that it has reliably turned to a decline in view of the effect of reducing the inspection volume on holidays and weekends.” I expect to do it.”
He added, “We need to make a little more effort here to convert to a marked decline and to accelerate the trend of patient decline.” He asked, “I ask you to cancel the appointment meeting so that this can be the last point.”