As the spread of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) across the country is increasing, there is a growing sense of crisis that the fourth pandemic in the spring will become a reality. Warning lights are already on the main quarantine indicators.
Authorities “If there are many quarantine violations, we will take action”
40% of non-metropolitan patients… Spread across the country
Distance adjustment possible mid-week
Kwon Deok-cheol (Minister of Health and Welfare) 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Company) said, “The current situation has many similarities to just before the pandemic begins in earnest. Now, we can see that we are at a crossroads where the fourth epidemic may begin.”
Deputy General Manager Kwon said, “I stood here to explain the seriousness of the Corona 19 epidemic and appeal for the people’s cooperation.” Compared to what it used to be, the trend is becoming clear,” he said. “It is difficult to find a safe place from Corona 19 because infection is spreading all over the country and infection is occurring in various everyday spaces.”
According to the script, 543 new patients occurred as of 0 o’clock on the 4th, reaching 500 for the fifth day. There were 514 cases of regional outbreaks, and the average daily regional patients for one week (3.28~4.3) was 477.3. Compared to 421.6, which was the previous week (3.21~27), it increased by 55.7. It showed an increasing trend in the range of 2.5 levels of social distancing (400-500 people), approaching the upper limit of 500 people. In particular, the recent fashion has spread across the country. The proportion of patients in non-metropolitan areas has risen to 40%, with patients coming out one after another, mainly in Gyeongnam and Chungnam.
The quarantine authorities cited the increasing number of mutant virus infections as a risk factor.
Positive rate doubled, 500 confirmed even though it’s a holiday
“Last week, 41 mutant infections were confirmed in the UK and South Africa, and 330 infected patients were found so far.” This is the situation where the third epidemic has begun.”
Deputy General Manager Kwon explained that now, with an average of 500 patients a day, if the epidemic spreads again, the epidemic could grow to 1,000 or more per day within a short time.
Experts also point out that it is unlikely that the situation will get better. Jeong Jae-hoon, a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University Medical School, said, “The average number of confirmed patients per week is on the rise, and the daily positive rate indicator is also deteriorating. If the positive rate increases, it can be interpreted as meaning that the number of infected people in hidden communities is increasing. The rate of unclear infection route is also increasing,” he said. “Because the detailed indicators have deteriorated, the overall indicators will also deteriorate.” The positive rate indicating confirmed cases compared to the number of tests was 2.73% as of 0 o’clock on the 4th day, which was twice as high as the previous day (1.31%).
Professor Jeong said, “The problem is that quarantine measures such as social distancing are generally deteriorating, and citizens’ sense of crisis is also falling.”
The government is also considering raising the level of social distancing if the corona19 epidemic situation does not subside. It is possible to adjust the distancing phase mid-week.
Deputy General Manager Kwon said, “We will strengthen on-site inspections centering on entertainment businesses, singing practice centers, and door-to-door sales businesses where many patients are occurring recently.” We will also implement measures that we do,” he warned.
Reporter Esther and Hwang Soo-yeon [email protected]
