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The spread of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in Korea is increasing. Although the number of Christmas holiday inspections decreased significantly compared to the day of the previous week, the number of new confirmed cases continued to be in four digits for two days in a row (1241 → 1132) in 25-26 days. The number of deaths has skyrocketed and the proportion of confirmed cases where the route of infection is unknown is approaching 30%, making quarantine difficult.
However, the government is fighting to increase social distancing in three stages. The quarantine authorities have reinforced social distancing with ‘special quarantine measures for the end of the year and New Year’, but they diagnosed that the spread is not diminishing. Therefore, opinions are divided among the experts. Even now, there is a disagreement between the opinion that it is necessary to raise it to the third stage and that it will not be effective if it is updated without support measures.
According to the Central Defense Response Headquarters (Bangdaebon), there were 1,132 new confirmed cases at 0 o’clock the day before. The number of confirmed cases decreased by 109 from the previous day (1,241), but remained in four digits for two consecutive days. It is also the second-largest registry since January 20, when the first Corona 19 patient was discharged in Korea.
The biggest problem is that the number of tests on Christmas Day decreased by 27,089 (57,147 → 358) compared to the day of the previous week, and 1,100 confirmed cases were confirmed despite large-scale group infections such as case of the Eastern Detention Center in Seoul, were not reflected. Rather, the spread was analyzed to be stronger.
However, the number of new confirmed cases to be announced from 0 o’clock today may be somewhat reduced. Quarantine authorities and local governments, such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, accounted for 662 confirmed cases between 0 and 6 p.m. the previous day. It is 64 less than the total of 726 at the same time the day before. If this is the case, there is a high possibility that fewer confirmed cases will come out this day than the day before.
Quarantine authorities are struggling with the fact that the number of deaths has risen significantly along with the increase in confirmed cases. On the 25th, there were 20 people per day alone, and the cumulative death toll increased to 793. The death toll has increased by almost 100 in 5 days since the 21st (698), and the rate of increase is steep. In addition, the cases of infection by unknown route also exceeded 28%, registering the highest level since the third pandemic. In the last 22-25 days (27.1% → 27.4% → 27.8% → 27.2%), it reached 27% for four consecutive days and then increased to 28.6% the day before.
It means that approximately 3 out of 10 confirmed cases do not know when and where they were infected, which is proof that the “hidden infection” is widespread in local communities. As such, the situation is getting worse because recently, in addition to infections in general daily life, large and small group infections continue to occur in vulnerable facilities such as correctional facilities, nursing homes, nursing homes, and churches. As the quarantine front widens, the government’s epidemiological response becomes increasingly difficult.
In the case of serious infections, up to the previous day a total of 520 people were confirmed in connection with the East Seoul Detention Center, and a total of 134 people were infected in the Guro-gu nursing hospital. 84 people also tested positive at a nursing hospital in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. In addition, in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, a group infection related to different churches occurred on the 22nd and 23rd, resulting in 23 confirmed cases, and so far 17 people have been infected in a church in Gyeongju, Gyeongsang Province of the North.
The government held a major script meeting chaired by Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun at 3 p.m. today to determine additional quarantine measures, including whether or not to increase the distance. Given that Phase 2.5 and Phase 2, which are being implemented in metropolitan regions and outside the capital, will end on the 28th, plans will be decided to expand or improve these measures. At present, the weight is known to be placed on the “2.5-step extension” rather than the “3-step upgrade”.
In a briefing the day before, Jung Eun-kyung, head of Bangdae headquarters, responded to a related question: “In addition to the 2.5 steps, we are monitoring the trend by implementing special quarantine measures across the country during the end of year and New Years holidays. There is concern that this will spread, so we are continually reviewing (staggered update) with local governments and ministries. “
Jung also said, “The average number of confirmed cases across the country per day for the past week was 1,017, and the spread of Corona 19 has not slowed down.” “The rate of positive tests for suspected patients exceeded 2%. The risk of infection is very high. “
Infectious disease experts have made a single voice on the need to strengthen quarantine measures, but are showing differences in their position on the three-stage upgrade. Chun Byeong-cheol, professor of preventive medicine at Korea University, argued: “Since citizens and businesses operate in almost three stages, the government should not maintain the situation that it is in neither stage 2.5 nor in the third stage as it is now, and must be upgraded to the third stage. “
On the other hand, Kim Mo-ran, a professor at the National Cancer Center, said: “If the door is closed unconditionally and you are asked to stay home without support measures, there is a high possibility that it will not be effective.” said. “I’m concerned that increasing the distance could cause different damage to the Corona 19.”
Reporter Geum-ju Cheon [email protected]
GoodNews paper ⓒ Kookmin Ilbo (www.kmib.co.kr), unauthorized reproduction, compilation, redistribution prohibited
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