Gang Do-tae "COVID-19 Cases Not Decreasing... Current Situation a Critical Battleground"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government expressed concern over the lack of decrease in new COVID-19 cases and urged vigilance against complacency in quarantine measures.

Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 19th, "COVID-19 cases are not decreasing easily."

Kang expressed concern, saying, "The remaining embers of the third wave have not been completely extinguished, and about 400 new cases per day have continued for a month, prolonging this crisis situation. Cluster infections are continuing in workplaces and multi-use facilities, which are everyday living spaces."

He emphasized, "To curb the spread of COVID-19, from last Monday, the metropolitan area has been declared a ‘Special Measures Period,’ and non-metropolitan areas a ‘Special Period for Compliance with Quarantine Rules,’ focusing efforts on quarantine. We ask the public to support these efforts by practicing quarantine rules."

He also stated that vaccinations, which began last month, are progressing smoothly according to plan.

Kang said, "About 660,000 people have received the first dose. From this weekend, we expect people to complete their second dose, so the path toward herd immunity is gradually becoming visible."

He explained, "At today’s Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting, we will discuss emergency room response plans in preparation for the second quarter vaccination. The government will provide sufficient information so that the public can distinguish between normal ‘immune responses’ such as temporary fever and muscle pain during the immune formation process after vaccination, and ‘adverse reactions’ that require medical attention."

Additionally, Kang said, "We will discuss and prepare measures with related ministries to allow people to rest after vaccination."

Kang added, "This is a critical moment in the tense tug-of-war with COVID-19. How we respond now will determine whether we enter a painful fourth wave or break the spread of COVID-19 and sooner welcome the time of daily life recovery that we so hope for."

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