Park Neung-hoo "Corona Situation Precarious... Quarantine and Medical Limits Imminent"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government warned that the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is at a "precarious situation where the capacity of quarantine and medical systems to respond could reach its limit."

Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) and Minister of Health and Welfare, said at the CDSCH meeting on the 10th, "COVID-19 is raging nationwide, including the Seoul metropolitan area."

The Seoul metropolitan area has recently recorded the highest number of confirmed cases day after day. Over 3,000 new confirmed cases occurred in the past week.

Deputy Head Park said, "As the weather gets colder, asymptomatic chain infections are occurring and spreading on a large scale, mainly among young and middle-aged adults who are more active," adding, "We must work harder to thoroughly practice social distancing and quarantine rules than now."

The government is mobilizing all available resources to block the spread in the Seoul metropolitan area, which is leading the third wave. In particular, it plans to secure enough residential treatment centers and intensive care unit beds to enable appropriate treatment.

Deputy Head Park urged, "For the next three weeks, citizens in the Seoul metropolitan area can get diagnostic tests regardless of symptoms or epidemiological links, and screening clinics in the metropolitan area will operate extended hours," adding, "Please get tested to protect not only yourself but also your family, neighbors, and colleagues in advance."

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