Today, 400 people, re-entry to step 2.5… Possibility of extending the distance 5 people ban

The number of new confirmed cases of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in Korea is showing signs of increase.

It has been fluctuating in the 300-400 range for nearly three weeks, but the size of confirmed cases is growing little by little each day.

Compared to the culmination of the’third pandemic’ (December 25 last year, 1,240 people), it has decreased significantly, but even after more than two months of high-intensity quarantine measures such as banning private gatherings with more than 5 people were implemented, no further decline was observed. Rather, it is showing a pattern that will turn into an increasing trend.

The quarantine authorities and experts are concerned that a’fourth epidemic’ could come as the spread of spring trips and meetings in the midst of a latent infection in the community is still intensifying.

The government is planning to announce on the 12th a’social distancing’ adjustment plan that will be applied from next week in consideration of the outbreak situation and future outlook this week.

As there are 400 confirmed cases a day, there are observations that the current distancing (second stage in the metropolitan area, 1.5 stage in the non-metropolitan area) and banning meetings of five or more people will be re-extended.

It is highly likely that the operating hours of multi-use facilities in the metropolitan area such as restaurants and cafes, which are currently open until 10:00 pm, will also be maintained.

◇ One after another, group infections across the country… About 400 local outbreaks on average per day per week

According to the Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Bangdaebon) on the 11th, as of 0 o’clock the previous day, there were 470 new confirmed cases of Corona 19 in Korea.

The number of people increased by 24 from the previous day, 9th (446), reaching the second half of the 400. This is the highest number in 19 days since February 19th (561 people).

The number of new confirmed cases to be announced as of 0 o’clock on this day is also expected to be at a similar level.

A total of 426 new confirmed cases were counted between the quarantine authorities and local governments, such as Seoul, from 0 o’clock on the previous day to 9 PM, two fewer than 428 at the same time the day before.

Considering the trend that the number of confirmed patients does not increase after 9 pm, it is expected to reach the mid-to-late 400 range.

The number of new confirmed cases rose to 600 immediately after the Lunar New Year holiday (2.11-14) and then decreased to 300-400 again, but it is getting closer to the 500 mark, and the quarantine authorities are making a sense of it.

In the last week (3.4~3.10), the number of new confirmed patients per day recorded 424 → 398 → 418 → 416 → 346 → 446 → 470, an average of 417 per day.

Among them, the number of confirmed cases of regional outbreaks, which is a key indicator of the adjustment of the distance stage, recorded an average of 399.9 per day, reaching 400, in fact, re-entering the range of 2.5 stages (at the time of a rapid increase in patients such as 400 to 500 people nationwide or doubling).

The recent increase is due to the occurrence of large and small group infections through various small groups and workplaces all over the country.

The major new group outbreaks announced the day before by Bang Dae-bon are ▲ religious facilities in Hanam, Gyeonggi-do-sports facilities (12 people cumulatively) ▲ Dance teaching academy in Hwaseong City (10 people) ▲ Meeting of acquaintances in the metropolitan area (9 people) ▲ Meat processing company in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (5) Persons) ▲ Oriental medicine hospital in Iksan city, Jeonbuk (7 people) ▲ Business site in Seo-gu, Busan (13 people) ▲ Family gathering in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon (13 people).

◇ “It’s not a safe situation”… Announcement of distancing adjustment plan tomorrow, possibility to maintain current stage

In a briefing the day before, Yun Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Control Headquarters, said, “In the case of the metropolitan area, there is no peace of mind, and the number of patients who have been relatively stable until last week in the non-metropolitan area has recently increased little by little.” “I think it is due to the easing of the posture.”

“Although group infections through workplaces continue to occur nationwide, it is estimated that the’three-mild environment’, which is dense, closed, and closed, has contributed to the spread of the infection. In recent years, focusing on multi-use facilities,” It is a situation in which a group infection is occurring,” he asked again to comply with the quarantine rules.

As the current distancing measure ends on the 14th, the government will announce a distancing adjustment plan to be applied thereafter on the morning of the 12th.

The mediation plan also includes banning meetings of five or more people and restrictions on operating hours of multi-use facilities in the metropolitan area.

First of all, as the number of confirmed cases has increased further compared to the previous week, the outlook is that it will be difficult to lower the distance.

The average daily number of confirmed local outbreaks in the past week (3.4-10) was 399.9, an increase of 35.2 from 364.7 in the previous week (2.25-3.3). As for the distance-taking stage, it was at the level of 2 (more than 300 people nationwide) until the 9th, but re-entered the range of 2.5 stages the previous day.

As the number of new confirmed cases is increasing, it is necessary to review the upgrade of the distancing step, but as it is not easy in reality, the observation that the current distancing step and quarantine measures will be extended once more is weighing in.

One expert said, “It will be difficult to ease quarantine measures in the current situation.”

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