Kwon Jun-wook "Domestic COVID-19 Cases Decrease... Citizens Witness Greatness" (Update)

A Clear Difference from Europe's Resurgence... "Hasan Road is More Dangerous"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] The quarantine authorities have evaluated that the recent decrease in domestic confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), maintaining double digits, is thanks to the solidarity and cooperation of the public. However, they urged the public not to let their guard down as the upcoming Chuseok holiday will be a critical period.

On the 22nd, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing, "The domestic occurrence of COVID-19 continues to show a decreasing trend," adding, "We see greatness in the solidarity and cooperation shown by the Korean people during the practice of social distancing."

Deputy Head Kwon said, "At the threshold of a resurgence, it is very difficult to find other countries that have suppressed the COVID-19 outbreak through phased social distancing and voluntary participation rather than a complete societal lockdown." He diagnosed, "COVID-19 has high transmissibility and includes asymptomatic infections, so if we ever neglect outbreak management, it could spread again. However, the current domestic situation is clearly different from European countries that are facing a larger resurgence than last March and have to choose lockdowns again."

However, Deputy Head Kwon emphasized that complacency is forbidden as the upcoming Chuseok holiday will be a critical moment. He said, "If large-scale population movement occurs during the Chuseok holiday, the risk of infection transmission will follow, so we must not be complacent about the recent decrease in confirmed cases and continuous caution is necessary," adding, "As commonly said, the descent down the mountain is more dangerous."

He also explained that until an effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine appears, physical distancing between people and direct transmission blocking through masks are the most reliable alternatives.

Deputy Head Kwon stated, "After the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, combining the artificial distancing effect with physical distancing will completely end the COVID-19 outbreak," adding, "Until the development of vaccines or effective treatments, it is believed that lifestyle changes involving distancing can sufficiently suppress COVID-19 and further reduce the fatality rate."

Meanwhile, domestic confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have maintained double digits for three consecutive days while showing a decreasing trend. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the day, 61 new confirmed cases were added, bringing the total confirmed cases to 23,106. Regarding the infection routes of new confirmed cases, 51 were locally transmitted and 10 were imported cases.

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