[COVID-19 Resurgence] Confirmed Case Movements to Be Investigated Down to Building Level

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The government has decided to utilize QR code electronic entry logs of high-risk facilities and hospital visit records to track the movements of confirmed COVID-19 cases. A system will also be established to systematically collect and utilize COVID-19 research data and to promote international clinical cooperation for the development of therapeutic substances. The Ministry of Science and ICT discussed these measures in response to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about its resurgence at the Science and Technology ICT Disaster Safety Response Meeting held on the 23rd.

QR Code Electronic Entry Logs Also Used to Track Movements

To more accurately track confirmed cases' movements, the government will integrate QR code-based electronic entry logs from high-risk facilities such as clubs and hospital visit records into the epidemiological investigation support system. This will enable detailed epidemiological investigations down to the building level. The method of acquiring location information will also adopt a real-time automatic response system to enhance the speed of information acquisition.

The government will open COVID-19 data. Similar to how promptly providing mask sales information helped reduce public anxiety, data necessary for crisis situations caused by COVID-19 will be made publicly available on the cloud so that the private sector can develop apps or websites using government data.

Domestic Clinical Trials Difficult... Clinical Trials Overseas

International clinical cooperation for the development of COVID-19 therapeutics will also be promoted. Through discussions with science and technology ministers from various countries, plans for international cooperation on overseas clinical trials will be pursued. A system will be established to systematically collect COVID-19 research data for research use. Additionally, development will proceed on unmanned systems that automatically detect infectious disease outbreaks in public places, mobile negative pressure beds for patient transport, modular wards for deployment at disaster sites, and antiviral air purifiers that destroy infection sources.

The government will also engage in research and development to improve the quality of non-face-to-face solutions such as remote education and video conferencing. To this end, a voucher project will be promoted where research institutions conduct necessary R&D on behalf of non-face-to-face solution companies. Educational projects will also be carried out for vulnerable groups marginalized in the digital transformation centered on non-face-to-face services.

Furthermore, to enhance the resilience of companies affected by COVID-19, the government will support investment attraction through non-face-to-face consultations with buyers and investors for promising ICT companies and prepare an emergency R&D manual to reduce the R&D burden on small and medium-sized enterprises.

K-Quarantine Casebook to be Published

In response to the continuous emergence of new infectious diseases including COVID-19, the government will prepare an emergency response operation plan. This plan will be divided into four stages from infectious disease occurrence to community transmission, detailing key response measures and specific activities for each stage.

The government will also publish a casebook on COVID-19. This is in response to many countries' growing interest in "K-Quarantine" and their requests to share experiences. The casebook will include specific details of COVID-19 related policies as well as the background and process of policy implementation. It will be distributed worldwide through international organizations, embassies in Korea, and overseas missions.

Minister Choi Ki-young stated, "Small-scale cluster infections that recently occurred in the metropolitan area are spreading to the Chungcheong region," adding, "Science, technology, and ICT will take the lead in providing maximum support until the final end of COVID-19."

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