Jeon Hae-cheol "Over 2,000 New Cases for 6 Consecutive Days After Chuseok... Concerns Over Infection Spread During October Holidays"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Amid the rapid spread of COVID-19, the number of new confirmed cases reached the 2,800 range on the 29th. The government stated that with the October holidays and the autumn leisure season approaching, increased mobility could further intensify the spread, and they will do their best in quarantine efforts.

On the 29th, Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCHQ), said in his opening remarks, "Today's number of confirmed cases is in the high 2,800s, continuing the trend of over 2,000 cases for six consecutive days during the Chuseok holiday," adding, "However, the weekly average number of severe cases has decreased by 17% compared to the first week of September, and the fatality rate is also continuously declining."

He also expressed concerns about the possibility of further spread in October. Deputy Head Jeon said, "With the October holidays and the autumn leisure season approaching, increased mobility makes the realization of infection spread very likely," and added, "The government and local governments will extend the operation of temporary screening clinics at 17 major transportation hubs nationwide, which were initially scheduled to close on September 30, until the end of October."

He also presented measures to respond to the rising number of confirmed foreign nationals. The proportion of foreign confirmed cases has risen to 16.2% for two consecutive weeks. Deputy Head Jeon emphasized, "We will strengthen vaccination promotion among construction site workers, agricultural and marine fisheries workers, international students, and others," and added, "We will increase vaccination participation by issuing temporary management numbers to undocumented foreigners and supporting medical expenses related to vaccine side effects."

Furthermore, the government plans to form a 'Daily Recovery Committee' together with the private sector to gather opinions by sector. The four sectors are economic livelihood, education and culture, local autonomy and safety, and quarantine and medical care.

He also mentioned the upcoming second doses for those aged 18-49 and new vaccinations for children and adolescents next month. Deputy Head Jeon said, "As of yesterday, 75% of the population has completed the first dose, and the second doses for those aged 18-49 and the new vaccinations for 2.9 million children, adolescents aged 12-17, and pregnant women, which will be fully underway in October, will proceed without any issues."

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