"Confirmed Cases Decreasing but Cannot Be Complacent... Please Participate in Vaccination"

Kwon Deok-cheol, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), is presiding over a video conference of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19 response held at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room in the Government Seoul Office Building on the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The quarantine authorities warned that although the recent spread of COVID-19 has somewhat stabilized, risks still remain, urging active participation in vaccination.

Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), said in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 11th, "Today, the number of new domestic confirmed cases is 483," adding, "The average daily number of confirmed cases last week was 565, which is 32 fewer than the week before last, and the weekly infection reproduction number has been decreasing for four consecutive weeks, standing at 0.94." Regarding this, he said, "This was achieved without raising the social distancing level, thanks to the active 'participatory quarantine' of the public and the dedicated efforts of medical staff and quarantine personnel," but warned, "While the decrease in confirmed cases is certainly welcome news, it is not yet a situation where we can be at ease."

Deputy Head Kwon pointed out high proportions of cases with unknown infection routes, cluster infections, and variant viruses as risk factors. He said, "The proportion of cases with infection routes under investigation exceeds one-quarter of all new confirmed cases, and infections from contact with previously confirmed cases account for nearly half," adding, "So far, over 1,400 confirmed cases related to variant viruses have been identified in more than 60 cluster cases nationwide, and community spread is also increasing."

Deputy Head Kwon also urged participation in vaccination to eradicate COVID-19. He said, "Once vaccination for the elderly is completed by the end of June, a more flexible quarantine response will be possible," and added, "The next 50 days are really important to completely break the momentum of COVID-19."

Following the start of vaccination reservations for the elderly aged 70-74 on the 6th, reservations for those aged 65-69 began on the 10th. Additionally, reservations for those aged 60-64 will start on the 13th. As of midnight on that day, the reservation rate was 40% for those aged 70-74 and 21% for those aged 65-69.

Deputy Head Kwon emphasized active participation in vaccination, stating that the risk of adverse reactions is outweighed by the risk of COVID-19. He said, "Although there is a risk of adverse reactions following vaccination, it is essential to consider that the risk of death and severe complications from COVID-19 is much greater," and requested active participation and cooperation from the elderly and their families.

According to an analysis by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the fatality rate of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases aged 60 and over is 5.2%, whereas the infection prevention effectiveness two weeks after one dose of vaccine is 86% for the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine and 89.7% for the Pfizer vaccine. The UK Public Health England (PHE) also analyzed that the risk of death from COVID-19 decreases by 80% after one dose of the AZ or Pfizer vaccine.

Support measures for patients with severe adverse reactions after vaccination were also announced. Deputy Head Kwon said, "Medical expenses of up to 10 million KRW per person will be supported even for severe patients with insufficient causality after COVID-19 vaccination," emphasizing, "Support will also be retroactively provided to those who have already completed vaccination and meet the conditions."

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