US White House COVID-19 Briefing Reiterates Mention of Korean Case

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] At a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) task force (TF) press briefing held at the White House on the 14th (local time), an official repeatedly mentioned South Korean statistics.

Debbie Bux, TF coordinator, referred to the proportion of confirmed positive cases among those tested for COVID-19 in South Korea during the White House briefing that day. She said, "Our results are very similar to South Korea's data," introducing statistics that over 96% of COVID-19 tests in South Korea were negative. She interpreted this as "meaning that these individuals (tested) have respiratory symptoms not caused by COVID-19."

Coordinator Bux made similar remarks at a press conference the previous day. She said, "Only 4% of people tested in South Korea were positive for COVID-19," adding, "This means that 96% have other respiratory symptoms." She emphasized that it is currently flu and common cold season, and there is always a possibility of other respiratory illnesses occurring.

Considering that many of those tested had similar symptoms, this implies that the actual infection rate of COVID-19 among the entire population is much lower. Coordinator Bux also brought out a chart summarizing the flow of the 'drive-through' testing method, similar to the Korean-style screening clinics where tests can be conducted while remaining in a car, and explained it step-by-step by pointing with her hand.

At the briefing on the 4th, she also said, "Reassuringly, there were no deaths among people under 30 years old in South Korea," adding, "This is reassuring for us."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.