South Africa raises the level of’mutant corona’

In South Africa, a mutant virus, which has a much stronger spread than the existing Corona 19, is spreading, and the intensity of quarantine measures is rising to the highest level. Local authorities have decided to increase the level of punishment so that if they do not wear a mask, they can be sentenced to prison, and the sale of alcohol is completely banned.

According to the Associated Press on the 28th (local time), South African President Cyril Lamaposa announced such additional measures through a speech to the public on the same day. Accordingly, the sale of alcohol was banned in South Africa and all bars were closed. Beaches and public swimming pools, where there are particularly many confirmed cases, have also been closed.

South Africa’s President Cyril Lamaposa announces measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus through a speech to the public on the 28th (local time). This measure will completely ban alcohol sales in South Africa. In addition, not wearing a mask in public places can result in fines or jail time. [EPA=연합뉴스]

All citizens are banned from 9pm to 6am except for essential outings. Wearing a mask is compulsory, and not wearing a mask in public places can result in fines and up to 6 months in prison.

In his speech to the public, President Ramaphosa screamed, “I hope you follow the new measures,” and shed tears.

On the 24th, passengers are wearing masks in a minibus in Johannesburg, South Africa. President Ramafossa has designated major South African cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban as bases for proliferation. [AP=연합뉴스]

With the appearance of a mutant virus, the positive rate for corona testing in South Africa has soared from 5% two weeks ago to more than 30% now. In some’hot spots’ such as Cape Town, the positive rate was close to 50%.

South African medical authorities have an emergency. The Washington Post reported, “In December alone, 4630 public health workers in South Africa were infected with the coronavirus.”

Most hospitals in South Africa are now saturated. Equipment such as oxygen tanks and ventilators, as well as beds in the intensive care unit, are insufficient. According to World O Meter, as of the 29th (local time), the cumulative coronavirus confirmed in South Africa was 101 million, and about 27,000 died.

Regarding vaccines, President Ramafossa said, “We are in consultation with manufacturers,” without revealing the size of the purchase. South Africa is affiliated with COVAX led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is expected to bring in a vaccine that can inoculate 10% of South Africa’s population early next year.

On the 26th, officials from a hospital in South Africa are moving the body of a patient who died of Corona 19. [AP=연합뉴스]

The international community is also tense at the signs of the spread of the mutant virus from South Africa.

The Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced on the 28th that a woman in her 30s who arrived at Narita Airport in Tokyo from South Africa was infected with a mutant virus, according to the Nippon Geizai newspaper on the 29th. After staying in South Africa, the woman arrived in Japan via Doha, Qatar on the 19th. NHK reported that the woman went into quarantine immediately after it was confirmed that she had been infected by the coronavirus at the airport quarantine inspection, and there was no close contact.

Reporter Seo Yujin [email protected]