Confirmed cases surpass 100,000 in 99 days... Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters urges "Preemptive testing before public officials return from leave"

Confirmed Cases Surpass 100,000... 99 Days Since April 20
Emphasis on 'Daily Prevention Practices' Instead of Existing Social Distancing
Rapid Antigen Tests Before Public Officials Return from Vacation, Request to Refrain from Meetings and Business Trips
Emergency Support of 50,000 Won per Day for 10 Days for Family Care Leave
Shortened Routine Testing Cycle for Nursing Hospitals and Restrictions on In-Person Visits for Residents

On the 26th, when a heatwave warning was issued nationwide, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are undergoing COVID-19 testing. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] As the Omicron variant spreads, the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 100,000 for the first time in 99 days on the 27th. The quarantine authorities decided to conduct pre-return tests for public officials before the end of August and provide emergency support of 50,000 KRW per day for 10 days to those taking family care leave.

On the 27th, Kim Seong-ho, the 2nd General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Head of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters), stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting, "Today, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases surpassed 100,000, the first time in 99 days since April 20," and added, "The average daily new confirmed cases last week were in the low 60,000s, an 85% increase compared to the previous week."

The quarantine authorities are strengthening measures by promoting 'daily quarantine practices' instead of reintroducing social distancing. First, the public sector will implement pre-return testing before vacations and refrain from meetings and business trips. Coordinator Kim emphasized, "The government will overcome this resurgence wave not by uniform social distancing measures as before, but through daily quarantine practices based on public participation. The public sector will conduct proactive rapid antigen tests before returning from vacation until the end of August, refrain from meetings and business trips, and prioritize non-face-to-face meetings as part of strengthened quarantine measures."

The government aims to gradually secure about 4,000 beds in preparation for the number of confirmed cases increasing up to 300,000 and plans to increase the number of one-stop medical institutions capable of testing, diagnosis, and prescription to 10,000 by the end of this month.

Quarantine standards for nursing hospitals vulnerable to infection will also be strengthened. Coordinator Kim said, "The preemptive testing cycle for nursing hospital workers will be shortened according to the scale of the resurgence, and face-to-face visits, outings, and overnight stays for residents will be restricted. We will promptly prescribe oral therapeutics to confirmed patients and consider designating additional dedicated nursing hospitals when confirmed cases surge."

Emergency support of 50,000 KRW per day will be provided to those taking family care leave, and workers with symptoms are strongly encouraged to take leave. To prevent student group infections before the new school term, academies are urged to switch to remote classes and refrain from group activities. Reflecting recent reports of infections at concerts and other events, quarantine support personnel will actively encourage facility users to comply with quarantine rules.

Coordinator Kim stated, "For large retail facilities with high foot traffic, we will conduct on-site inspections with businesses, local governments, and the government to manage quarantine for workers and users and ensure safe eating practices," and added, "For daily quarantine based on autonomy and solidarity to be realized, the participation and cooperation of the public are absolutely essential," urging compliance with quarantine rules.

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