Prime Minister Jeong Visits Daegu After a Month: "The Fight Against COVID-19 Is Not Over Yet"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 11th, "Based on the pain and sacrifice endured so far, I ask Daegu and Gyeongbuk to take the lead in exemplary quarantine efforts so that the period of stability achieved can continue."

On the same day, at a COVID-19 situation briefing held at Daegu City Hall with Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin and Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Prime Minister Chung stated, "The fight against COVID-19 is not over yet."

Prime Minister Chung visited Daegu for the first time in about a month to check on the preparations for daily quarantine in Daegu and Gyeongbuk and to encourage local governments and quarantine officials.

Previously, Prime Minister Chung had stayed in Sangju for about 20 days from February 25, when confirmed cases surged in Daegu, to lead the field operations, before returning to Seoul on the 14th of last month.

In Daegu, the number of new confirmed cases per day soared to 741 on February 29, but recently has been maintained in single digits. There were no new confirmed cases the day before, and 7 cases were recorded on the day.

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "There were no new confirmed cases in Daegu yesterday and none in Gyeongbuk the day before. Of course, the situation requires us to remain vigilant, but as someone who fought alongside the citizens of Daegu and Gyeongbuk during the 20 days when COVID-19 was at its peak, I feel glad and grateful."

He added, "The reason we were able to wisely overcome the urgent situation was thanks to the civic consciousness of Daegu and Gyeongbuk citizens, the sacrifices of medical staff, and the efforts of public officials," and expressed sincere thanks and encouragement for their sacrifice and hard work.

Prime Minister Chung continued, "I have mixed feelings. I feel sorry and thankful when I think about the pain the citizens have endured," and mentioned, "Now, the situation has shifted to how well we manage risk factors in the metropolitan area and how effectively we block overseas inflows."

He also pointed out, "As seen in the cases of group infections in nursing hospitals and nursing homes, we must constantly prepare for the risk of community infection," and "As the global spread continues, the risk of overseas inflow cannot be ignored."

Prime Minister Chung stated, "We must also prepare for a long-term battle against COVID-19," and noted, "The clinical data and treatment experience accumulated by Daegu and Gyeongbuk through treating numerous patients will be of great help not only to other regions in Korea but also to the international community's crisis response."

He added, "I ask medical associations and others to take the lead in making necessary preparations and organizing data and records," and "The government will also do its best to support these efforts."

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