[ad_1]
Amid the rapid spread of the mutant corona 19 virus from South Africa, the first case of infection was confirmed in Japan.
In the United States, nearly 2 million people have been vaccinated so far, but there is concern about the further spread of the Christmas holiday change.
We will discuss the details with reporter Jo Soo-hyun from the International Department. Welcome.
Is there no sign of the spread of mutations from South Africa after the UK mutant virus?
[기자]The cumulative number of confirmed cases in South Africa exceeded one million.
Looking at the curve for new cases, it has risen markedly in recent weeks.
At the beginning of this month, there were between 3 and 4,000 people a day.
As it continued to rise steadily, around 14,000 people were confirmed per day for three days from 23 to 25.
It is analyzed that the effect of the mutant virus is not small in such a pronounced spread.
The South African government believes that the mutant virus is spreading rapidly in the southeast.
However, it is not yet known exactly what proportion of the mutant virus infection compares to all confirmed cases.
In South Africa, the spread of Corona 19 intensified in June and July.
It was relatively quiet in the fall, when the second spread began in earnest in the United States and Europe.
Then in December, with the appearance of the mutant virus, it can be said that it has entered ‘secondary spread’.
[앵커]Experts around the world are concerned that the second outbreak could be more serious than the first. How is the South African government responding now?
[기자]The South African government has tightened quarantine measures in many ways.
The use of masks was imposed in public places, the night curfew was enforced, and most traffic was prohibited from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Daily activities are also severely restricted, so let’s listen to the talk by South African President Cyril Lamaposa.
[시릴 라마포사 / 남아공 대통령 : 장례식과 소수의 예외 경우를 제외한 모든 실내외 모임은 29일 0시를 기해 14일 동안 금지됩니다.]However, it is noted that it is already heading into a difficult situation to control.
Large hospitals have reached a state of saturation, complaining of the lack of medical personnel, equipment and beds.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the need for international support in relation to poor health systems in African countries.
[앵커]Mutations originating in South Africa are reported one after another in other countries, but was it the first time it was confirmed in Japan?
[기자]It was officially announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan.
A woman in her 30s who has stayed in South Africa has been infected with the mutant virus.
This is the first time that a case of a mutant infection from South Africa has been confirmed in Japan after a mutant virus from the UK.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga chaired a meeting of the Countermeasures Headquarters and called on cabinet members to “have a high sense of tension and thoroughly pursue countermeasures”, saying: “There is no end of the year or New Year holidays for the virus”.
The Japanese government has banned new foreigners from entering the country until the end of January to prevent a further influx of the mutant virus.
In Japan, there were 2,390 new cases yesterday.
As of Monday, where the number of confirmed cases tends to be lower than on other days due to the decrease in the number of tests over the weekend, it was the highest for 4 consecutive weeks since the last 7 days.
Meanwhile, the first case of a incumbent lawmaker who had underlying diseases like diabetes and hypertension became infected with Corona 19 and died.
[앵커]Let’s go ahead and go to America.
It has been exactly two weeks since the vaccination started, how is it going?
[기자]On day 14 the Pfizer vaccination began and on day 21 the Modena vaccine was added.
It is said that, in general, everything is going well.
Some healthcare workers who received the vaccine had allergic reactions, but this was not a worrisome side effect.
The CDC, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimated that 1.94 million people have been vaccinated so far.
Additionally, vaccine distribution went smoothly and an estimated 954 million batches were safely delivered nationwide.
[앵커]By the way, is there a great concern about further spread due to the aftermath of the Christmas holidays?
[기자]Last weekend was the Christmas holidays.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said that on the 27th, the last day of the holiday, there were more than 1,284,000 people across the country passing through airport checkpoints.
Previously, the number of airport users on Saturday 26 was 1.1 million and on 25 it was 616,000.
From the 18th to the 25th, a week before Christmas, the number of airport users nationwide reached 7.8 million.
That’s half the simple comparison from a year ago.
However, it is the highest level since the crown crisis, so further spread is a concern.
In fact, there have been several cases where the number of new patients has increased significantly during the Christmas season in the United States, and the Thanksgiving holiday is a good example.
So before the New Year holidays, health authorities and experts have been urging people to refrain from meetings and travel.
The upcoming New Years holidays are expected to be another turning point.
