Gang Do-tae: "The Next 4 Weeks Will Be a Turning Point for Returning to Normal Life"

Kang Do-tae, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Sejong Complex in Sejong City on the morning of the 7th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Amid growing concerns about the resurgence of COVID-19 due to increased movement during the start of the school term and the Chuseok holiday, health authorities have expressed their determination to curb the spread, viewing the next four weeks as a critical turning point toward 'gradual recovery of daily life.'

Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 8th, "The government believes that the upcoming four weeks, including the Chuseok holiday, will be a crucial turning point deciding whether we take a step closer to precious daily life recovery or retreat again," adding, "We will make every effort to move forward."

Kang warned, "The number of new confirmed cases is expected to exceed 2,000 as of yesterday," noting, "It has surpassed 2,000 again for the first time since September." He emphasized, "The next four weeks are a critical period," and added, "If the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, our community's journey toward 'gradual recovery of daily life' will be further delayed as we strive to maintain a stable medical system and maximize the speed of vaccination."

He also reiterated the importance of vaccination. Kang said, "We are steadily approaching the primary goal of achieving a 70% vaccination rate before Chuseok," and stressed active participation in vaccination by noting, "Vaccination provides about 72% effectiveness in preventing severe illness and 96% effectiveness in preventing death."

To alleviate public concerns about vaccination, Kang introduced measures addressing adverse reactions. He stated, "We have prepared a plan to expand the scope of medical expense support for vaccine adverse reactions," and added, "The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency should strengthen epidemiological investigations and evaluation of adverse reactions to ease public worries and expand efforts in communication with the public."

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