"Cumulative Cases Reach 20 Million... 'Targeted Quarantine' Alongside Daily Life Recovery" (Update)

Focus on Managing Areas with High Number of Confirmed Cases

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the cumulative number of confirmed cases surpassed 20 million, the government plans to implement 'targeted quarantine' measures for places where a large number of cases occur while restoring daily life.

Lee Ki-il, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 3rd, "We will restore daily life to the public while intensively managing places with many confirmed cases through targeted quarantine."

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, the number of new confirmed cases on this day remained in the 110,000 range following the previous day, pushing the cumulative confirmed cases beyond 20 million, which corresponds to 38.8% of the entire population. The infection reproduction number decreased from 1.54 to 1.29 in the third week of last month.

Lee, the General Coordinator, said, "The phenomenon of confirmed cases doubling has slowed down, but it is still too early to be complacent," and added, "We repeatedly ask for special caution at places where many people gather, such as concert halls and beaches, as well as in nursing hospitals and facilities vulnerable to infection."

He then explained the background for promoting targeted quarantine measures based on the recent quarantine situation. Lee said, "At the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, social distancing was implemented to block infections due to uncertainties about the virus's epidemiological characteristics. Now, we have the experience and extensive data accumulated over the past 2 years and 7 months of dealing with COVID-19, as well as sufficient vaccines, treatments, and medical response capabilities."

At the meeting, discussions were held regarding the transition to a general medical system and management plans for university entrance exams in preparation for COVID-19.

The government is promoting a transition to a general medical system centered on local clinics and hospitals to enable quick treatment while maintaining daily life. Lee explained, "Currently, there are 6,210 hospital beds available, which is sufficient to respond to 150,000 confirmed cases," and added, "We are securing additional beds in preparation for 300,000 cases." He also emphasized, "We will actively promote that those with symptoms receive prompt face-to-face medical care."

Furthermore, considering the recent cluster infections in military facilities and the approaching university entrance exams, the government urged ministries and local governments to prepare to prevent the spread of infection.

Meanwhile, from this Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting, Jeong Gi-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, will participate. Lee said, "This is intended to establish governance for quarantine policies based on objective data and expert participation," and conveyed to Chair Jeong, "We ask for your generous advice and insights to establish professional quarantine policies going forward."

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