President Moon presides over Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting... "Stable supply of self-test kits" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in, presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 7th, urged the expansion of participation by local clinics and hospitals and the stable supply of self-test kits to respond to Omicron.

In his opening remarks that day, President Moon said, "From now on is the real test for responding to Omicron."

President Moon emphasized, "We must focus our efforts on managing high-risk groups and preventing severe cases and deaths by increasing speed and efficiency according to Omicron’s characteristics of high transmissibility but low severity. Even if the number of confirmed cases rises, if severe cases and fatality rates are stably managed and medical response capacity is maintained, we can successfully overcome this critical phase."

He asked the government, local governments, and the medical community to minimize initial confusion so that the new quarantine and medical system for responding to Omicron can be firmly established on the ground. President Moon said, "Above all, it is important to enhance the role of local clinics and hospitals in the new testing and treatment system," and added, "We ask for the participation of more clinics and hospitals to manage the rapidly increasing number of patients."

He also said, "Based on our sufficient production capacity, please ensure the stable supply of self-test kits and devise support measures for vulnerable groups and sectors in quarantine," and urged, "The oral antiviral treatment should also be effectively utilized by expanding its target to reduce severe cases."

He instructed preparations for social function paralysis due to the rapid increase in confirmed cases. President Moon said, "In particular, relevant ministries should review and implement plans to maintain essential functions in sectors such as healthcare, public safety, firefighting, education, childcare, transportation, and electricity without disruption," and emphasized thorough school quarantine measures including the use of rapid antigen tests ahead of the new semester.

President Moon stressed, "Voluntary participation and cooperation of the public are also crucial," and urged the public’s cooperation by saying, "In addition to compliance with quarantine rules and vaccination, individuals’ roles have increased throughout the revamped quarantine and medical system, including self-administered rapid antigen tests and self-reported epidemiological investigations."

He described the current Omicron response as "the last hurdle toward daily recovery," and said, "If you trust the government and join forces with us, we will be able to return to normal life more quickly."

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