Today, below 400 people… The risk of re-proliferation remains amid stagnant decrease in confirmed cases

Seoul Plaza Temporary Screening Clinic

picture explanationSeoul Plaza Temporary Screening Clinic

▶ Click here for a larger view

Compared to the peak period of the’third pandemic’ of a new coronavirus infection in Korea (Corona 19), the number of new confirmed cases has not reliably decreased.

It means that they are not easily able to get out of the’congestion section’.

The number of new confirmed cases peaked on December 25 last year (1,240), then gradually decreased in the new year and fell to the early 300 level, but at the end of last month, the number of new confirmed cases rose to 500 due to group infection initiated by IM Mission. It is in the situation of going up and down 300 to 400 people.

However, despite this overall decline, the quarantine authorities are tense as there is a possibility that Corona 19 may re-proliferate during the Lunar New Year holidays (2.11-14), where a large number of patients are still coming out a day, and a large population movement is expected. I can’t let go of the string.

Moreover, as the number of cases of foreign mutant virus infection, which has a stronger spread than the existing virus, is increasing, there are concerns that it may be another spark of re-proliferation.

In the midst of this, the government has decided to keep the current’social distance’ (Seoul Metropolitan Area 2.5th Stage, Non-Metropolitan Area 2nd Stage) and the ban on private gatherings of 5 or more people until the 14th, but taking into account the grievances of small business owners and self-employed people, multiple uses of the non-metropolitan area. The business hours limit for facilities (restaurants, cafes, indoor sports facilities, etc.) will be delayed by one hour from 9 pm to 10 pm.

[그래픽]  New confirmed cases of Corona 19 in Korea

picture explanation[그래픽] New confirmed cases of Corona 19 in Korea

◇ It seems that 300 people will continue for three consecutive days… 355 people on average per day per week

According to the Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Bangdaebon) on the 7th, a total of 393 new cases were confirmed in Korea as of 0 o’clock the previous day.

It was 23 more than the previous day (370), but it remained at 300 for two days in a row.

The number of new confirmed patients to be announced as of 0 o’clock on this day is also expected to continue.

A total of 327 new confirmed cases were compiled by the quarantine authorities and local governments such as Seoul from 0 o’clock to 9 PM the previous day.

It was 23 fewer than the 350 counted at the same time the day before.

Considering the recent trend in which the number of confirmed cases increased to only double digits after 9 pm and the impact of the weekend decreasing the number of tests, the number of new confirmed cases is expected to reach the mid to late 300s.

Accordingly, the average value of confirmed patients for one week is expected to decrease slightly.

In the last week (1.31~2.6), the number of new confirmed cases per day recorded 354 → 305 → 336 → 467 → 451 → 370 → 393, with an average of 382 cases per day.

Among them, the number of confirmed cases of local outbreaks, which is a key indicator of the adjustment of the distance-taking stage, is maintained in the range of the second stage of distance-taking (more than 300 persons nationwide), separated by an average of 355 people per day.

Citizens waiting for inspection

picture explanationCitizens waiting for inspection

▶ Click here for a larger view

◇ Risk factors for re-proliferation still… Infection reproduction index is close to 1 again

However, it is pointed out that there is a high risk of re-proliferation of Corona 19 at any time as the infection reproduction index, which fell to 0.79 four weeks ago, is again approaching 1 and is ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

If the reproductive index of infection is 1 or more, it means’proliferation of the pandemic’, and if it is less than 1, it means’repression of the pandemic’.

In a briefing the day before, the first general coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of robbery said, “The current 3rd epidemic is re-proliferating. “There is,” he said, “the New Year holidays may be a great opportunity for the virus to spread.”

In fact, there are cases of confirmed cases appearing every day across the country. In addition to the occurrence of additional infections in existing outbreak cases, daily infections large and small are newly confirmed.

In a major case, there have been 27 confirmed cases in the sauna located in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong-gu has increased to 80.

In addition, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to welfare facilities in Jung-gu, Seoul increased to 83, and in the case of hospital No. 3 in Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province and No. 2 nursing home in Namyang-si, respectively, 16 and 18 were positive.

Foreign immigrants wearing quarantine uniforms'to a temporary quarantine facility'

picture explanationForeign immigrants wearing quarantine uniforms’to a temporary quarantine facility’

▶ Click here for a larger view

The spread of the mutant virus is also not unusual.

The number of mutant infections confirmed in Korea increased by 12 the previous day, to a cumulative 51.

Among them, 37 people were infected with mutations from the UK, 9 people were infected with mutations from South Africa, and 5 people were infected with mutations from Brazil.

All 12 newly added mutant infections were found during the quarantine stage or self-isolation after entering the country, but four Syrians identified earlier are the first cases of’n-th transmission’ in the community, so the quarantine authorities are making a sense of it.

[그래픽]  Adjustment of social distancing measures

picture explanation[그래픽] Adjustment of social distancing measures

◇ Restrictions on operating hours of restaurants and cafes in non-metropolitan areas are eased from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Although such an uneasy phase is still continuing, the government has decided to ease the restrictions on business hours of multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes by one hour from 9 pm to 10 pm in the non-metropolitan area, where the spread is less.

However, in the metropolitan area, where more than 70% of new confirmed cases are concentrated, the current restrictions on business hours until 9 pm continue.

This is a measure that considers quarantine and the livelihood of self-employed at the same time.

General Coordinator Kang 1 said, “We will adjust the operating time limit around the non-metropolitan area, where the number of patients is stably decreasing, taking into account the growing difficulties of the common people’s economy due to the prolonged Corona 19.”

General Coordinator Kang 1 said, “To minimize the risk of extended operating hours, the government, local governments, and related associations and organizations will thoroughly apply the quarantine rules.” Separately, according to the principle of zero tolerance, it was decided to immediately execute a group prohibition order for two weeks.”

[연합뉴스]

Copyrights ⓒ Yonhap News. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited

Source