"Focused 'Targeted Quarantine' Implementation Where Needed... Military Preemptive Testing Strengthened" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed 2,000, the government plans to implement 'targeted quarantine' measures for places where many cases occur while restoring daily life. In the military, where recent cluster infections have occurred, proactive measures such as strengthening preemptive testing have been taken.

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

Targeted quarantine refers to a method based on data to identify groups vulnerable to COVID-19 and manage them intensively to prevent severe cases and deaths. Jeong Gi-seok, head of the COVID-19 Special Response Team (Chairman of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee), explained, "Just like 'targeted anticancer therapy,' which analyzes the genes of patients and cancer to use only the necessary drugs, targeted quarantine means avoiding blanket regulations and focusing quarantine measures only where necessary."

Jeong added, "This is not a significant departure from the government's previous management of high-risk groups," and explained that including people in their 50s and those aged 18 and over with underlying conditions in the fourth vaccination target as part of the COVID-19 resurgence countermeasures is also a form of targeted quarantine. He said, "The mortality rate from COVID-19 for people in their 50s is 0.04%, while it is 0.01% for those in their 40s, which is one-quarter. Since there is a significant increase between the 40s and 50s age groups, the fourth vaccine dose is recommended for those in their 50s."

Furthermore, Jeong stated plans to create data on patients with underlying conditions nationwide and conduct targeted quarantine by providing individual guidance, and that quarantine measures will be implemented where necessary based on future data.

The authorities explained that data on confirmed cases, critically ill patients, and trends derived from weekly COVID-19 risk analyses will be used for targeted quarantine. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said, "Through such data analysis, we identify which groups are at risk and how changes occur to focus quarantine responses on preventing severe cases and deaths, which is the most important goal of targeted quarantine."

At the meeting, the transition to a general medical system was also discussed. The government is promoting a shift to a general medical system centered on local clinics and hospitals to enable quick treatment while maintaining daily life. Lee, the chief coordinator, explained, "Currently, there are 6,210 hospital beds available, sufficient to respond to 150,000 confirmed cases," and added, "Additional beds are being secured in preparation for 300,000 cases." He also said, "We will actively promote that those with symptoms receive prompt face-to-face medical care."

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

The number of confirmed cases in the military has increased, with an average of 1,817 cases per day over the past week and 2,629 new cases reported on the day. However, the Ministry of National Defense plans to minimize uniform restrictions on soldiers' activities and respond through voluntary social distancing and reinforcing military quarantine and medical capabilities.

The Ministry of National Defense will conduct preemptive testing for new recruits and soldiers returning from leave and strengthen PCR testing capabilities at military medical institutions. They also plan to expand outsourced testing to enable rapid diagnostic testing.

To prepare for the surge in military cases, sufficient isolation beds and facilities will be secured. The government explained that military hospital screening clinics and emergency rooms will provide 24-hour care and that military quarantine readiness will be organized in preparation for the upcoming Korea-US joint military exercises scheduled for this month.

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