<중대본> "60,000 COVID-19 Cases in a Month... Re-infections on the Rise"

Winter Resurgence Scale Unpredictable
BN.1 Variant Detection Rate Reaches 17.4%
Reinfection Rate Also Increases to 14.69%

On the 12th, when 25,667 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking the highest number of cases on a Monday in 13 weeks, a citizen visiting the Yongsan District Public Health Center in Seoul is getting tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] As the average daily number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases rises to the 60,000 range, the spread of the virus is intensifying again, making the scale of the winter resurgence unpredictable.

On the 16th, Lee Sang-min, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), stated at the Central Disaster Headquarters meeting held at the Seoul Government Complex, "The average daily number of new confirmed cases is expected to reach the 60,000 range for the first time since the first week of September," adding, "The proportion of reinfections has also been steadily increasing recently."

The proportion of the BN.1 variant virus detected among the variants has also surged. The detection rate of the BN.1 variant virus increased from 4.9% in the second week of November to 13.2% in the fifth week of November, and recorded 17.4% as of the first week of December.

The reinfection rate among weekly confirmed cases rose from 10.68% in the second week of November to 14.69% in the fifth week of November.

The government plans to increase vaccination rates and strengthen quarantine management in densely populated facilities. Fever reducers, cold medicine, and self-test kits are being prioritized for support in infection-vulnerable facilities with excellent vaccination performance.

Minister Lee said, "Vaccination is the most important factor to successfully overcome the resurgence," and added, "The intensive vaccination period during the winter season will be extended until the end of the year, and starting this week, bivalent vaccine administration for adolescents aged 12 to 17 will also begin."

He continued, "Even if vaccinated individuals experience reinfection, the risk of death is significantly reduced, and since the bivalent vaccine is highly effective against the currently dominant BA.5 variant, we urge active participation in additional winter vaccinations."

The Central Disaster Headquarters will announce adjustments to indoor mask-wearing guidelines on the 23rd. At the expert discussion held the previous day, opinions were expressed that after the winter resurgence, partial lifting and situation-based mask-wearing instead of facility-based criteria should be introduced.

Minister Lee stated, "A public forum to hear expert opinions on indoor mask adjustments was held yesterday, and next week, the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee is scheduled. The government will prepare specific adjustment plans, including judgment criteria and applicable facilities, by the 23rd and explain them to the public."

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