Concerns Raised Over Limitations of Containment Through Vaccination Alone Against Variant Virus Spread

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The UK-origin variant virus named ‘B.1.1.7’ appears to be sweeping across the globe since its identification.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that as of the 9th of last month, this virus, first discovered in the Kent region of southeastern England in September last year, has been confirmed in 86 countries. It has also been confirmed that the UK variant has entered New Zealand, which was previously considered a ‘COVID-19 clean zone.’

As related research progresses, analyses suggesting that the variant virus is more threatening are emerging. According to the UK government recently, patients infected with the variant are more likely to experience severe symptoms requiring hospitalization.

In the United States, the variant virus, whose transmissibility, fatality rate, and vaccine efficacy differences have not yet been clarified, has been confirmed, raising concerns that vaccination alone may not be sufficient to curb its spread.

As of midnight on the 16th, the number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea was recorded at 457. The government warned that new cases in the metropolitan area have shown signs of increasing amid a stagnation phase.

According to the quarantine authorities, the average daily number of locally transmitted cases last week (February 7?13) was 353, similar to the 354 cases of the previous week. However, there was a clear difference between the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas. During the same period, the metropolitan area averaged 282 new cases per day, an increase of 24 from the previous 258, while non-metropolitan areas averaged 71, a decrease of 25 from the previous 96.

Unlike the non-metropolitan areas where the reproduction number was below 1, the metropolitan area exceeded 1. The variant virus is also a variable. With 6 new cases added the day before yesterday, the total number of variant virus infections in the country has risen to 94.

Meanwhile, the Ethics Committee appointed by the German Bundestag recently emphasized at a press conference that even those vaccinated against COVID-19 must strictly adhere to quarantine rules such as social distancing and wearing masks.

We have already confirmed at the early stage of the COVID-19 crisis that compliance with quarantine rules in daily life is the most reliable vaccine. Residents are urged to keep in mind that even a small lapse can lead to a large-scale spread and to actively follow the government’s social distancing policies, including the ban on private gatherings of five or more people.

Now, I will explain the COVID-19 status in Gangnam-gu.

On this day, five new COVID-19 cases (numbers 1235?1239) were reported. Case 1235 is related to a cluster infection at a university hospital in Yongsan-gu. Cases 1236 and 1237 are family members of previously confirmed Gangnam-gu residents. Case 1238 showed symptoms of sore throat, and case 1239 tested positive without any particular symptoms and is currently under epidemiological investigation.

As of this day, Gangnam-gu is managing 1,002 self-quarantined individuals, of whom 771 are overseas entrants and 231 are domestic contacts.

The cumulative number of specimen tests conducted at Gangnam-gu Public Health Center’s screening clinics and temporary screening sites is 204,630. Among the 1,929 tested the previous day, 81 were overseas entrants and 1,848 were domestic residents.

The government has confirmed the procurement of a total of 79 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, adding 23 million doses to the existing 56 million doses. The additional doses include 3 million from Pfizer and 20 million from Novavax.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced this information and urged the public to “trust the government and actively participate in the free vaccination program starting in ten days.”

Gangnam-gu plans to align with the government’s policy and begin full-scale vaccinations next month targeting 13,000 people, including 17 medical staff at local residential treatment centers for the first quarter, medical personnel treating COVID-19 critical patients at Samsung Seoul Hospital and Gangnam Severance Hospital, and residents under 65 in nursing hospitals and care facilities.

From May, vaccinations will be administered to 86,000 people including seniors aged 65 and over, residents and workers in facilities for the disabled and homeless. In July, vaccinations will be conducted for 280,000 Gangnam-gu residents aged 18 to 64.

The decision on vaccinating seniors aged 65 and over will be made after the government reviews additional clinical information by the end of March, so changes may occur.

Additionally, Gangnam-gu has already formed a special task force for vaccination to establish detailed guidelines for vaccine supply, management, and immediate response to adverse reactions.

The district is also exploring support measures for medical personnel in consultation with related organizations such as local medical and nursing associations. Above all, to ensure fast and smooth free vaccinations, two vaccination centers will be established within the district, with optimal locations being sought considering convenience and proximity to medical institutions.

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