Kwon Deok-cheol, the first deputy head of the Central Disaster Response and Safety Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), said, “Now we can see that we are at a crossroads where the 4th epidemic may begin.” He released a speech to the public calling for participation, etc.
1st Deputy General Manager Kwon Deok-cheol said on the 4th, “If you look back on the experience of the past year, the current situation has many similarities to just before the pandemic began in earnest.” Within a day, the epidemic could grow to more than a thousand people.” Deputy Deputy General Kwon said, “The government appeals to the public to observe the following three things for a month in April,” and urged them to observe basic quarantine rules such as wearing a mask, washing hands, periodic ventilation, and undergoing examination in case of symptoms.
He continued, “I would like to ask the managers and users of entertainment establishments, singing practice centers, door-to-door sales, indoor sports facilities, and churches where many patients are occurring recently.” Prevention rules become mandatory in earnest. Multi-facility managers and users hope that quarantine regulations are strictly followed for the safety and daily recovery of all of us.” If everyone who visits a restaurant or cafe violates the basic quarantine rules, such as not individually filling out an access list, a fine will be imposed immediately.
Deputy Chief Kwon Deok-cheol said, “The second request is to cancel meetings that are not necessary and reduce the number of meetings. If you participate in many meetings and gather various people to eat or drink and take off your mask, the chances of infection Is dramatically higher,” he explained. In addition, he said, “I ask those who have been vaccinated to actively participate in the vaccination. If any of your family members are eligible for vaccination, I ask you to actively recommend and help.”
The following is the full text of the discourse.
Fellow Koreans, I am Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, and the Minister of Health and Welfare.
Today, I stand here to explain to the people the seriousness of the Corona 19 epidemic and to appeal for the people’s cooperation.
The number of patients in the past week was around 500, and the increase is becoming clear compared to the previous 10 weeks or so, 400 patients had repeated fluctuations.
The infection reproductive index is also growing beyond 1.0, predicting the spread of the epidemic.
Infection is spreading all over the country, and infections are occurring in various everyday spaces, making it difficult to find a safe place from Corona 19.
By region, the number of patients in the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan area is increasing at the same time, and some areas in the non-metropolitan area have raised their distance.
Mutant virus infections are also on the rise. Last week, 41 mutant infections were confirmed in the UK and South Africa, and 330 infected patients have been identified so far. Globally, the number of patients is increasing in all regions due to the influence of the mutant virus, and in Europe, a tertiary outbreak has begun due to the British mutant.
Looking back on the experience of the past year, the current situation has many similarities to just before the pandemic began in earnest. Now we can see that we are at a crossroads where the fourth epidemic may begin.
Now, with an average of 500 patients per day, if the epidemic spreads again, the epidemic could grow to more than a thousand per day in a short time.
In preparation for the 4th epidemic, the government has more than doubled its ability to test for Corona 19 last winter and prepared for additional treatment beds such as critically ill beds.
However, this preparation is just in case. In the event of a growing trend again, the government must raise the level of social distancing, and everyone must have a difficult time.
However, unlike last winter, the tension in daily life is becoming similar to that before the corona epidemic. As the energy of spring is clearing, the contact, movement, and density of people are increasing significantly.
Since we are humans, we can say it is the reason for spring, but viruses do not have such a psychology. Viruses are unaware of fatigue, no matter what the situation, and do not afford to relax.
The lessons that we and all countries in the world are convinced of are the same from our experience over the past year. The fight against the corona is not over until it is over, and it requires a arduous response until it reaches collective immunity. If you’re off guard for a moment, you’re paying the price as a big fashion.
Now is the time to be most certain to defend against the spread of the epidemic again.
Safety from infection should be a top priority over going out and gathering to feel the spring. Don’t get tired of protecting yourself and your family.
If we make a mistake here, our spring, which has been regained hard, may be harder than last winter. This is a situation no one wants.
In particular, from April, it is an important time for vaccination to begin in earnest. Vaccinations for seniors aged 75 and over have begun, and vaccinations over 65 years of age have begun within this month. In the first half of the year, vaccinations for high-risk groups such as the elderly and the vulnerable, medical institutions and essential personnel will be conducted.
If their vaccinations are completed well by June, the risk of COVID-19 will be significantly reduced. Infections in the elderly and nursing hospitals, which have a high fatality rate, will decrease, and as a result, the number of critically ill patients and deaths will decrease.
However, if the situation worsens here, the dispersion of quarantine capacity will disrupt vaccinations and the positive effects will be further delayed.
As vaccinations have begun in many countries, tensions have diminished and the pandemic is re-emerging, eventually leading to a painful re-blockade.
We have to make this as a teacher. It’s not that it’s okay that the vaccination is going on, but that’s why you need to be more safe from infection.
If we actively reduce and eliminate congestion, close and containment situations before planting here, we can enjoy the benefits of vaccination even a little faster and more greatly.
The government appeals to the public to keep the following three things for the month of April.
First, I hope you follow the basic quarantine rules anytime, anywhere, with the idea that I am the forefront of quarantine.
These include wearing a mask, washing your hands, periodic ventilation, and getting an examination if you have symptoms. Basic quarantine rules are not difficult. However, it is the most effective way to significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.
In particular, if you have suspicious symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle pain, etc., please do not visit places where many people gather and take the Corona 19 test.
I would also ask the managers and users of entertainment establishments, singing practice centers, door-to-door sales, indoor sports facilities, and churches, where many patients have recently occurred.
These facilities are at high risk of infection. The reason why the restrictions on operating hours and the ban on groupings were lifted was the easing of quarantine measures, believing in an autonomous effort to strictly observe the quarantine rules.
However, violations of quarantine regulations have been observed in a number of recent outbreaks.
The government will strengthen extensive on-site inspections, centering on facilities with many cases of infection. Violating businesses will be subject to severe penalties on the principle of zero tolerance. In the event of multiple such violations, measures will be taken to enforce collective bans or tighten operational restrictions in the industry.
From tomorrow, the one-week guidance period ends, and basic quarantine rules become mandatory in earnest. Managers and users of multiple facilities are urged to strictly observe the quarantine rules for the safety of all of us and for the recovery of our daily lives.
The second request to the public is to cancel meetings that are not absolutely necessary and reduce the number of meetings.
Participating in many gatherings, gathering various people, eating or drinking, and removing the mask dramatically increases the chances of infection.
Now, every place in our daily life is at risk from Corona 19 infection.
Starting with a small group of acquaintances, spreading the infection to family members and other acquaintances account for the largest share.
The citizens, please reduce all possible gatherings. In particular, avoid meetings in a closed room, and if it is unavoidable, please observe the quarantine rules carefully.
Lastly, we ask that the vaccination candidates actively participate in the vaccination.
The formation of collective immunity through vaccines is almost the only way for you, my family, and our society to overcome the risk of COVID-19.
In particular, if the elderly, the vulnerable, and essential personnel with high fatality rates are all vaccinated by the first half of the year, our society will be much safer from Corona 19.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world have already been vaccinated, and their safety and effectiveness are well proven.
Please actively receive vaccinations for your own safety and for our family and neighbors. If any of your family members are eligible for vaccination, we ask you to actively recommend and help.
There is a crossroads ahead of us now.
Whether it enters the same fashion as last winter or on the path to overcoming the corona depends on the participation of the people.
The reason our society has been relatively stable from Corona 19 over the past year is because the citizens of the country actively participated in the quarantine with high citizenship.
As shown in the past year, we ask you to cooperate with us to follow basic quarantine rules, cancel meetings, participate in vaccinations, and overcome Corona 19.
The government will also do its best to help the people recover their precious daily lives as soon as possible. Thank you.