At least 1,100 confirmed today … Tier 3 Upgrade Crossroads

Entry 2020.12.20 08:07 | Revision 2020.12.20 08:09

As the spread of the ‘third pandemic’ of coronavirus infection in Korea grows stronger, the number of new confirmed cases reaches 1,000 per day. This trend is expected to continue for the time being, with a number of confirmed cases in the range of 1,000 people showing up five times in the last week.

In particular, the number of new confirmed patients to be announced on the morning of the 20th is expected to break the record, reaching at least 1,100 and as high as 1,200. The previous record was 1,078 on the 16th.

◇ Average daily local outbreak in the last week of 949 … Infection in a nursing facility / hospital group

Already exceeding the three-step criterion for ‘social distancing’ (more than 800-1000 people nationwide or when there is a rapid increase such as double), not only new confirmed patients, but other related indicators, such as critical patients and hospital beds are deteriorating.

According to the Central Defense Response Headquarters (Bang Daebon), at 0 o’clock the day before, there were 1,053 new cases of coronavirus in Korea. After the last 16-18 days (1078 → 1014 → 1062), it surpassed the 1000 mark for four consecutive days. The number of confirmed cases of regional outbreaks, which quarantine authorities use as a key indicator of distance adjustment, reached 949 people on average per day, representing 1000 → 682 → 848 → 1053 → 993 → 1038 → 1029 during this period.

Not only the size of confirmed cases, but also the recent outbreak of outbreaks shows serious signs of danger everywhere. Following the metropolitan area, the expansion of non-metropolitan areas is also increasing. Among the confirmed cases of local outbreaks the day before, a total of 337 people were in the non-metropolitan area, representing 32.8% of the total. This is the largest and the first record of 300 people since the ‘first pandemic’ in Daegu and Gyeongbuk in February and March.

It is also a matter of concern that cases of infection continue to occur in nursing homes and nursing homes, where there are many elderly patients or patients with chronic diseases. In the case of core group infections, after the first confirmed cases (indicator patients) occurred on the 17th at the True Love Nursing Home in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, a lot of infection cases were confirmed, focusing on contacts, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases increased to 61. In addition, the outbreak started at St. Mary Hospital in Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, and led to Somang Hospital in Eumseong-gun, where a total of 58 people.

In addition, ▲ related to nursing hospitals and nursing homes in Guro-gu, Seoul (31 people accumulated) ▲ Nursing hospitals in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (134 people) ▲ Nursing hospitals in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi- do, etc.

◇ The number of confirmed cases is likely to increase due to preventive inspection in the metropolitan area Pay attention to the results of today’s script conference

At 0 o’clock in the day, the number of new confirmed cases is expected to be at least 1,100. According to quarantine authorities and local governments such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, a total of 870 new confirmed cases were recorded as of 9 p.m. the previous day. These statistics do not include the 185 group infection cases at the East Detention Center in Seoul, where former President Lee Myung-bak is in prison.

Quarantine authorities previously predicted on the 14th that “the number of new confirmed cases may reach between 950 and 1200”. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases is very likely to increase for the time being, as preventive tests are being carried out through temporary screening tests in the metropolitan area.

Consequently, the government is repeatedly contemplating the three-step upgrade. If the stage of social distancing is raised to three stages, there is a strong tendency to make decisions with the greatest possible care, since approximately 2.20 million establishments nationwide will be closed or the operation will be restricted.

Young-rae Son, chief of the Accident Recovery Headquarters Strategic Planning Division, said in a recent briefing that “(the third step) the goal is to suppress the outbreak without promotion.” With this, some observers say the ‘3-stage-α’ measures that partially adjusted the three-stage quarantine measures are coming out.

In fact, the government is reported to be in internal discussions with related ministries and experts on ways to allow the sale of basic necessities such as markets and convenience stores, but limit the number of admission and allow only packaging and delivery from restaurants and coffees.

The government is monitoring the trend of confirmed cases this weekend and holidays. This is because the effect can appear as the amount of movement in the metropolitan area gradually decreases when comparing before and after the distance step update. The number of confirmed cases this weekend and holidays is an important variable that will determine the quarantine during the end of the year and New Year holidays.

Prime Minister Jung said: “This weekend will be an important turning point in deciding whether or not to adjust the distance level,” and called for the active practice of ‘participatory quarantine’ of all people through a speech at the main main conference chaired the day before.