On the morning of the 29th, shops in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, one of Seoul’s core commercial districts, were closed and closed. On this day, the number of new coronavirus infections (Corona 19) patients across the country recorded 469, and after the third pandemic, the decline in confirmed cases has slowed, and the quarantine authorities are struggling to announce a plan to adjust social distancing this weekend. yunhap news
Ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, the government, which is considering whether to ease the quarantine regulations, such as lowering the social distancing stage, has determined that the current third epidemic of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) is’stall’. It is believed that the spread of the mutant virus could lead to a fourth epidemic. The plan to adjust the quarantine regulations is scheduled to be announced around the coming weekend.
At a press conference held on the 4th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (middle script) said, “It is difficult to determine whether the third epidemic is going to decrease or increase as the third epidemic is still progressing without stabilization.” Said. According to the Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Bang Dae-bon), the number of new corona 19 confirmed cases in Korea as of 0 o’clock on the day was 451, exceeding the mid-400 range for two days in a row following the previous day (467).
Tae-ho Yoon, head of quarantine prevention at the Central Accident Control Headquarters (Heavy Soo-bon), said, “The average number of domestic outbreaks per week is 376.” .
The government also mentioned the possibility of a fourth outbreak in the spring before the end of the third outbreak. When asked about the possibility of the 4th pandemic, general manager Yoon replied, “We are preparing without excluding the possibility of the 4th outbreak from March to April.”
On the morning of the 4th, residents await the order of diagnostic tests at the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) screening clinic in the parking lot of the public health center in Naju, Jeollanam-do. The quarantine authorities determined that a foreign resident who was diagnosed with Corona 19 in Naju last month was infected with a mutant virus from the UK, and began an epidemiological analysis and a re-investigation of the surrounding area. yunhap news
In particular, the first case in which a mutant virus was collectively infected in the local community was reported in Korea, and the risk of a 4th pandemic caused by the mutant virus also increased. Bang Dae-bon said on the 2nd that 5 confirmed mutant viruses were added, resulting in a total of 39 cases of cumulative mutant virus infection.
Of the five newly confirmed cases, four were confirmed as’Corona 19′ in addition to four who were diagnosed with the British mutant virus as’the case of a group of foreign relatives in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam. The remaining 34 are likely to be infected with the mutant virus. The mutant virus is known to have stronger transmission power than the existing Corona 19.
People’s feelings of fatigue accumulated due to the recent prolonged Corona 19 may also be the cause of the fourth pandemic. General Manager Yoon said, “With the prolonged social distancing, our society’s acceptance of (quarantine rules) has fallen a lot, field complaints have increased, and there is an atmosphere of (relaxation of quarantine tensions) due to anticipation after vaccination started in mid-February.” It is difficult to start vaccination to form full immunity in some population groups.” He then emphasized, “You need to keep social distancing, maintain efficient epidemiological investigations, secure beds, and follow daily quarantine rules to prevent the 4th outbreak on a small scale.”
Regarding the adjustment of the social distancing stage or the easing of some quarantine rules, the existing position was repeated to make a decision after watching the patient trend until the weekend. General Manager Yoon said, “Friday patients are counted at 0 o’clock on Saturday, so it is necessary to watch the situation until this time,” he said. “Because the current patient trend is consistent, (the adjustment of quarantine regulations) may be large or small.” The government is expected to confirm the adjustment of the quarantine regulations this coming weekend (6th and 7th).
Meanwhile, on the 9th, the quarantine authorities will hold a second debate to adjust the equity of quarantine rules. The first session of the’Open Discussion for Reorganization of the Social Distancing System’ was held on the 2nd. Unlike the first discussion, where quarantine experts gathered to discuss the direction of the overall system reorganization, representatives of small business owners and self-employed persons will participate in this second discussion to discuss the issue of equity in quarantine rules and the gap between the application of government policies in the field.
Reporter Lee Tae-yoon [email protected]