The government said to tighten quarantine when the confirmation spills… Jeong Eun-gyeong also admitted to defeat

As the number of new coronavirus infections (Corona 19) was poured into around 500 and the possibility of a fourth epidemic was raised, the government suggested the possibility of reinforcing the distance from Buryaburya. The day before, Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said, “If the spreading trend does not decline this week, we may need to consider more intensive quarantine measures.” On the 5th, the Commissioner of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jeong Eun-kyung warned, “If we do not further strengthen quarantine measures, we believe the spread will continue.” This is contrary to the discussion of the timing of applying the relaxed distancing reform plan based on’autonomy and responsibility’ just a month ago.

Some criticize that the government, which should have analyzed the epidemic situation and adjusted the quarantine guidelines according to principles and standards, cited the reorganization plan from March and planted expectations for easing quarantine rules too early. In particular, experts pointed out that a consistent message on quarantine measures should be sent out, considering that the current vaccine supply and demand are limited and alternative options are limited.

The start was last February when the government eased social distancing. On February 15, the government eased the steps of 2.5 steps in the metropolitan area and step 2 in the non-metropolitan area by one step, step 2 and step 1.5, respectively. At that time, the average number of confirmed patients per day in the previous week (February 7th to February 13th) was 382, ​​which met the second stage criteria. However, experts feared that the decision was premature, as there were still cases in the late 300’s per day, and that just two weeks ago, the average number of confirmed cases per day was 423 per day.

As of 0 o’clock on the 17th, two days after the actual distance relief, the number of new confirmed cases rose to 621. Local community infections continued in various places in daily life such as workplaces and hospitals, as well as cases of infections linked to family gatherings during the Lunar New Year holidays. The average number of confirmed patients per day for three weeks in February, when the mitigation measures were implemented, met the 2.5-step criterion. After ▶392 people in 4 weeks in February ▶391 people in 1 week in March ▶446 people in 2 weeks in March ▶432 people in 3 weeks in March ▶439 people in 4 weeks in March ▶400 people with 495 people in 5 weeks in March The confirmed cases are being recorded. In fact, from the second week of March, it has already met the condition to be upgraded to the 2.5 stage.

However, even though 300 to 400 confirmed cases were maintained, the government started preparing to ease distancing. On February 15, which is the first day of the implementation of distance distancing, President Moon Jae-in said at a meeting of his chief assistants, “We plan to prepare and implement a new social distancing reorganization plan from March when vaccination begins in earnest.” President Moon said, “The people’s fatigue has accumulated over two months of strengthening quarantine measures, and the livelihood of small business owners and self-employed people has been pushed to the edge of the cliff.” I will switch to quarantine,” he said.

On the 18th, three days later, the government held a press conference to devise a plan to reorganize the social distancing. On March 5, the draft reorganization proposal was released. The reorganization plan simplifies the distance between the current five phases into four phases, and minimizes widespread collective prohibitions or restrictions on operations. If the new standard was applied immediately at the time, the ban on private gatherings with more than 5 people in the metropolitan area was eased to the ban on ‘9 or more people’, and the restrictions on operating hours of restaurants, cafes, and sports facilities, which were restricted until 10 pm, could disappear.

However, the government’s goal of finalizing a reorganization plan by the end of March after collecting opinions has been virtually overrun. The average number of confirmed cases per day has exceeded the 300-400 range, and now 400-500 confirmed cases are pouring out. Recently, with 500 confirmed cases per day for five consecutive days, Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol emphasized the’need to comply with quarantine regulations’ through a speech to the public.

On the 5th, Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyung also said at a regular briefing, “The infectious reproductive index is currently over 1 in all regions, so we are watching closely. Last week, the index was 1.07 (the scale after two weeks), which is expected to increase more than the current 500 level,” he warned. The infection reproduction index is an indicator of how many people one confirmed person infects others. If this index is less than 1, it means’trend suppression’, and if it is more than 1, it means’trend spread’. It has been about three and a half months since the third week of December last year (13-19) that the infection reproductive index exceeded 1.0 in all regions.

Commissioner Chung also admitted that a loophole in quarantine was created by easing the steps to prematurely distancing. Regarding the number of cases of group infections in the non-metropolitan area, he said, “By easing social distancing in mid-February, the group restrictions on entertainment facilities were completely lifted in the non-metropolitan area. As the bathhouse business is also operated without any restrictions, I think there is a part where the group spread through such multi-use facilities is clearly mediated.”

Experts criticized the government’s measures to reverse North Korea. Jeong Ki-seok, a professor of respiratory medicine at Hallym University’s Sungshim Hospital, said, “When easing distance in February, at least the metropolitan area should not have taken the distance. Since then, I have missed the timing,” he said. Jeong Jae-hoon, a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University Medical School, said, “It is important to give out a consistent message rather than to work hard. We must emphasize the message that the current state of quarantine can only be prevented.”

Choi Won-seok, a professor of infectious medicine at Korea University Ansan Hospital, also expressed regret that there is no alternative option. Professor Choi said, “There is a part where the existing distance distancing has become obsolete as the reorganization plan came out.” .

Reporter Woorim Lee [email protected]