Prime Minister Jeong: "Weekend Religious Gatherings, Be Cautious of 'Silent Transmission'"
"Join Efforts to Prevent Cluster Infections"
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun appealed for cooperation in efforts to prevent cluster infections during the first weekend and holiday following the implementation of "relaxed social distancing" at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the 25th at the Government Seoul Office.
Regarding the resumption of religious gatherings, Prime Minister Chung said, "It seems that many religious facilities are planning indoor meetings this weekend, which they have refrained from until now," adding, "Please maintain vigilance that 'silent spreaders' could attend at any time, limit the number of attendees, and strictly adhere to quarantine rules to protect the safety of the community."
He emphasized, "The participation and cooperation of religious people are important," and urged, "Please actively follow the quarantine authorities' guidelines throughout all stages of the gatherings, including wearing masks and refraining from small group meetings and communal meals."
He also stated, "According to a survey in New York State, antibodies to COVID-19 were detected in 14% of residents, meaning that about 2.7 million New York residents?more than ten times the official statistics?were unknowingly infected and recovered," indicating that "the spread of COVID-19 is much faster and wider than previously known."
Prime Minister Chung noted, "Even if not as much as in the U.S., there could be silent spreaders around us," describing them as "detonators that can cause cluster infections at any time." He continued, "It is difficult to predict how many silent spreaders exist and how infectious they are," emphasizing that "experts' warnings about a 'second large-scale outbreak' are not exaggerations but serious advice based on science and data."
He quoted the WHO (World Health Organization) Director-General, saying, "If cluster infections occur again at this point, children's return to school will be delayed, and economic activities will become impossible," and added, "One of the greatest risks we face now is complacency."
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Prime Minister Chung urged, "Please check yourselves, including related agencies, local governments, and the public, to see if vigilance has been relaxed as new confirmed cases have been managed around single digits over the past week," and requested, "Furthermore, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should prepare and implement plans to conduct antibody tests targeting Daegu and Gyeongbuk, which experienced the pandemic."
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