Government: "Increased Travel During Chuseok Holiday... Possible Worsening of COVID-19 in Non-Metropolitan Areas" (Comprehensive)

"An Important Time for Active Diagnostic Testing"
"The Importance of More Active Participation in Vaccination"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] As travel increases during the Chuseok holiday, the government has urged active diagnostic testing, warning that the spread of COVID-19 could intensify nationwide.

Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), stated in his opening remarks at the CDSCH meeting on the 22nd, "Due to increased travel during the holiday period, the COVID-19 situation in non-metropolitan areas, which had been somewhat stagnant, may worsen again," adding, "This is a time when active diagnostic testing is more important than ever."

He also said, "Please keep in mind and practice that getting tested after the holiday, when interregional travel was high, is the most important means to protect the health of your family and colleagues and to block the chain of infection." He added, "Although the Chuseok holiday is coming to an end, the spread of COVID-19 continues," and "The spread in the metropolitan area, which has been ongoing since before the holiday, remains a serious situation."

In fact, the average daily number of confirmed cases in the metropolitan area last week exceeded 1,400, an 11% increase compared to the previous week's 1,268, which was the highest weekly figure to date.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine first-dose vaccination rate surpassing 70%, Kang evaluated, "We have secured a foothold to gain the upper hand in the battle against COVID-19," but also mentioned, "More active participation in vaccination is important as we move forward to restore daily life."

He stated, "According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among confirmed cases aged 18 and over from late August to early September, 92.4% were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, while only 7.6% were fully vaccinated during the same period, clearly demonstrating the infection prevention effect of vaccination." He continued, "The severe case rate among confirmed patients is 2.6%, but it is significantly lower at 1.0% for those who received the first dose and 0.6% for fully vaccinated individuals, showing that vaccination reduces severe cases by about 76.9%. Vaccination is the best defense to prevent infection and reduce severe illness and death."

Quoting overseas research results, he explained that the COVID-19 Delta variant can transmit the virus during an asymptomatic period of 1.8 days, which is longer than the 0.8 days for the original virus. This emphasizes the importance of vaccination in responding to the Delta variant, which shows high infectivity even in asymptomatic states.

Kang also said, "Although the spread of COVID-19 is not easily subsiding, the vaccination rate is gradually increasing step by step through the participation of the public, raising hopes for a phased return to normal life," adding, "Active participation in vaccination and adherence to basic quarantine rules are more important than ever. The hard-earned tower of quarantine built through patience and sacrifice must not collapse due to a moment of negligence," urging active vaccination once again.

At the CDSCH meeting that day, measures to strengthen quarantine management in military units and the results of special traffic measures during the Chuseok holiday were discussed. Kang stated, "Military units, where group living takes place, must always be vigilant against the possibility of cluster infections," and "I ask related ministries for special attention and support to protect the health and safety of soldiers fulfilling their national defense duties."

Meanwhile, regarding the decision by Cytiva, a leading global vaccine raw material manufacturer from the United States, to invest in establishing a vaccine raw material production facility in Korea, Kang said, "The government delegation visiting the U.S. achieved meaningful results for global cooperation on vaccines," and promised, "The government will actively support the activation of networks between companies and researchers of both countries beyond intergovernmental cooperation in overcoming the global crisis caused by COVID-19."

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