Government “Metropolitan area and Gangwon area, 1.5 steps away are imminent to be elevated”

The government has warned that the time is imminent to increase the social distance between the Seoul metropolitan area and the Gangwon area, where the number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) is not significant, from the current stage 1 up to stage 1.5.

Tae-ho Yoon, head of the Accident Control Headquarters (heavy water version) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said in a regular briefing at the Security and Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters (middle writing) in the morning of the 13th. If the current trend of patient growth continues, there is a risk of meeting the criteria for increasing the distance level sooner or later. ”

Currently, the first stage of social distancing is being implemented nationwide, excluding Cheonan and Asan, Chungnam, Wonju, Gangwon and Suncheon, Jeollanam-do.

The number of confirmed patients in the metropolitan area did not exceed 100, which is the 1.5-step update standard, but is constantly increasing. The average number of confirmed cases per day in Korea during the last week (7 ~ 13 days) is 109. By district, there were 75 people in the metropolitan area, 9 people in Gangwon and Chungcheong areas each, 6.7 people in the Honam area and 5.6 people in Gyeongnam area. “Although not all regions have yet reached the higher level (distance) standard, it is showing an increasing trend,” Yun said. “As it is more desirable to continually suppress the emergence of patients at level 1 distancing, people called for quarantine rules to be thoroughly practiced in life.” The government is promoting a precise quarantine with the aim of reducing the number of confirmed cases per day to level 1.

First, to protect high-risk groups with high mortality rates, facilities vulnerable to infection are intensively managed. Japanese inspections for users and workers in nursing hospitals, etc., carried out in the metropolitan area, are expanded nationwide and are inspected every two weeks in the metropolitan area and four weeks in the non-metropolitan area at the end of the year. Periodically check if facilities vulnerable to infection, such as nursing homes, comply with quarantine rules, and in case of violation, a fine of no more than 3 million won is imposed.

In addition, relevant ministries and local governments will together assess the level of risk and select a “ quarantine support area ” for an accurate quarantine. The quarantine support area considers the area with signs of epidemic in consideration of the recent outbreak of collective infection and the trend of increasing patients. Selected at the county / gu level.

Special quarantine periods are temporarily designated during periods of increased special risk, such as SAT and New Years holidays, and early detection tests will be expanded.

Also, if there is a concern of a step forward by region or city / province, the local government plans to prepare in advance by predicting ahead and inducing voluntary participation from citizens.