Kwon Deok-cheol "600+ Cases for Two Days... COVID-19 Is Not a Common Cold"

Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol is attending the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19 Response' held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, which began to increase after the Lunar New Year holiday, has exceeded 600 for the second consecutive day.

On the 18th, Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), said at the Central Disaster Headquarters meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex, "The number of confirmed cases through private gatherings during the Lunar New Year holiday continues to rise," adding, "Cluster infections are continuously occurring in large workplaces, religious facilities, and medical institutions."

Recently, cluster infections of about 100 people each occurred at a plastic manufacturing factory in Namyangju City and a heating appliance factory in Asan City. The quarantine authorities have closed the affected workplaces and are conducting tests on about 1,200 employees of nearby companies.

Deputy Head Kwon pointed out, "The cause is increased exposure due to the 3Cs work environment (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings), not wearing masks, and communal living of foreign workers," adding, "Although there are workplace quarantine guidelines, the biggest problem is that they are not being properly followed." He urged, "In workplaces with 3Cs environments or where many foreign workers are employed, please conduct thorough inspections to prevent the recurrence of the same situation."

Deputy Head Kwon emphasized, "The government will mobilize all related agencies to proactively conduct intensive inspections of workplaces with 3Cs environments or many foreign workers," and added, "If cluster infections occur due to failure to properly follow quarantine guidelines at workplaces, we will take all possible measures, including claiming compensation."

Deputy Head Kwon stated, "COVID-19 is by no means a mild illness that passes like a common cold," and said, "According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the fatality rate for those aged 80 and above exceeds 20%, and even for those aged 60 and above, it exceeds 6%."

He added, "It is a disease that is by no means light, as various aftereffects such as fatigue, shortness of breath during exercise, hair loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder can occur even after recovery," and urged, "If you visited high-risk facilities during the holiday or have suspicious symptoms, please do not hesitate to get tested at the nearest screening clinic."

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