The first holiday to ease distance is expected in the early 400s… Continuous sporadic and mutant infection

While the aftermath of the’third pandemic’ of a new coronavirus infection in Korea (Corona 19) continues, the number of new confirmed cases has decreased slightly from 600 to 400, but concerns remain.

This is because the effects of the Lunar New Year holidays (2.11-14), when large-scale population movement occurred, and the easing of social distancing from the 15th (second stage in the metropolitan area, stage 1.5 in the non-metropolitan area) are likely to appear in earnest from this week.

In particular, there are observations that the spread of mutant viruses originating abroad, which is stronger than the existing virus, can cause another outbreak.

Some experts predicted that the spread of the mutant virus itself could not be prevented, and emphasized that by further strengthening quarantine management for foreign immigrants in the future, only the spread of the mutant virus wide enough to replace the existing virus should be prevented.

The government is planning to review whether to adjust the level of quarantine response this week by comprehensively evaluating the situation of the domestic group infection and the spread of mutant viruses.

◇ Expected to be in the early stage of 400 people today, the impact of decrease in the number of inspections on weekends… “The increase in New Year’s infections this year from Chuseok last year”

According to the Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Bangdaebon) on the 21st, as of 0 o’clock on the previous day, a total of 448 new corona19 patients in Korea.

The number decreased by 113 from the previous day (561), and fell to 400 in four days since the 16th (457).

It is expected that the number of new confirmed cases to be announced as of 0 o’clock on this day will decrease slightly.

There were 384 new confirmed cases that the quarantine authorities and local governments, such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, counted mid-term from 0:00 to 9:00 pm the previous day. There were 19 fewer than the previous day (403).

Considering that the number of confirmed cases has not increased since 9 pm, it is expected to reach the early 400 level.

Even if the number of confirmed cases decreases as expected, it is difficult to say that the spread of the disease has stopped because this reflects the effect of the decrease in the number of tests on the weekend.

Moreover, the number of confirmed patients in the 400 range is still not small, and if an unexpected group infection occurs, it is an uneasy situation that can increase rapidly to 500 to 600 people or more at any time.

In the last week (2.14~20), the number of new confirmed cases per day recorded 326 → 343 → 457 → 621 → 621 → 561 → 448, showing an average of 482 per day.

Of these, the number of confirmed cases of regional outbreaks, which is a key indicator of the adjustment of the distance-taking stage, averages 455 per day, and has re-entered the range of 2.5-stage distance (over 400 to 500 persons nationwide or a rapid increase in patients such as doubling).

The quarantine authorities believe that sporadic infections such as family and acquaintance meetings that occurred during the Lunar New Year holiday in addition to the outbreaks of large-scale workplaces such as factories and hospitals have affected the recent increase.

Lee Sang-won, director of epidemiological investigation and analysis, said at a briefing on the previous day, “The infection from holiday gatherings tends to increase after this Lunar New Year holiday compared to last Chuseok.” “People who visited their hometown or other regions during the holiday, or met with relatives and acquaintances , Those who are exposed to the ‘3 wheat’ (dense, airtight, close) environment must wear a mask and live by following the quarantine rules.”

Director Lee also requested, “Because the trend is not at a level of reassurance, we must strictly observe the distance during religious activities and refrain from small meals or meals after religious activities.”

◇ 20 people infected with mutant virus increased, cumulative 119 people… “It is impossible to completely control the influx of mutations”

In the meantime, the virus is also spreading from foreign countries, and the quarantine authorities are making a sense of it.

As 20 people were newly identified the day before, the number of domestic mutant virus infections increased to 119 (100 from UK, 13 from South Africa, and 6 from Brazil).

All 20 new people were infected with a mutant virus originating from the UK, of which 10 were found during immigration quarantine or self-isolation, and the remaining 10 were confirmed through two domestic mass transmission cases.

The number of cases of mutant virus spread within the region increased to three, including the previous case of Gyeongnam and Jeonnam foreign (Syrian) relatives.

Eom Joong-sik, a professor of infectious medicine at Gachon University Gil Hospital, said, “The mutant virus is only a difference in time point, and in the end, it has no choice but to be prevalent in Korea. The problem is, the difference between whether or not the outbreak spreads widely enough to completely replace the existing virus. “He said.

Professor Eom said, “It is impossible to completely control the influx of the mutant virus, but the public has no choice but to follow the current quarantine rules, such as distance and wearing masks, so that this mutant species does not decrease the preventive effect of the vaccine due to a great outbreak. “He emphasized.

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