[앵커]
The number of new corona19 confirmed patients is still recording 800 people today and is staying below 1,000 people for three consecutive days.
The government is evaluating the current situation as the third pandemic has entered a modest decline.
From tomorrow, it has been decided to allow the operation of all indoor sports facilities such as health clubs within a limited range.
Let’s listen to the COVID-19 briefing from the quarantine authorities.
[권준욱 / 중앙방역대책본부 제2본부장]
Let me tell you the current status of some domestic cases of coronavirus infection on January 7. The number of new confirmed cases in Korea is 833. The number of overseas inflows is 37, and the total cumulative number of confirmed cases is 66,686.
Yesterday, a total of 102,791 tests were conducted, of which 37,848 were performed at the temporary screening inspection office in the metropolitan area. Newly 654 people have been removed from quarantine, with 17991 currently being quarantined.
The number of seriously ill patients is 400, and yesterday there were 19 deaths. While wishing for the condolences of those who have died, I would like to express my sincere consolation to the bereaved families. As of January 7th, we will tell you the current status of major domestic outbreaks by region.
The metropolitan area accounted for 623 people (74.8%), and the non-metropolitan area (210 people), 25.2%. Religious facilities, medical institutions, and nursing facilities still dominate. First, in the metropolitan area, 79 people were added in relation to correctional facilities in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and a total of 1173 confirmed cases occurred.
In this regard, our quarantine authorities will preemptively conduct regular inspections once a week for all correctional facility employees nationwide in accordance with infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals from tomorrow, January 8th.
Next, 46 people were added from a meat processing company in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do, and a total of 47 people were found after the first confirmed case on January 5, and a total of 12 cases were found in relation to food service companies in Osan, Gyeonggi-do.
Next, in the Chungcheong area, 50 cumulative confirmed cases were found in relation to religious facilities in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, and a total of 10 cumulative confirmed cases were found in connection with Okcheon-gun hospital to date.
Next, in the Honam area, a total of 28 people were added in the management of contacts since December 31 of last year in relation to religious facilities in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and a total of 69 confirmed cases have been found so far.
In the Gyeongbuk region, a total of 16 confirmed cases were found in relation to the nursing assistant academy in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and finally, a total of 80 cases were found in connection with the Yeongdo-gu Elderly Health Center in Busan Metropolitan City in Gyeongnam.
Next, we will tell you about the situation in which the Corona 19 UK mutant virus was further confirmed. On January 2, an additional British mutant virus was identified in a sample of three family members who were contacted by a confirmed case of the British mutant virus.
In this regard, we are also conducting sample analysis for one additional contact family member. As of January 7, as of 0 o’clock on January 7, there were a total of 15 cases of mutant viruses in the UK and South Africa, and 14 cases of mutant viruses in the UK were detected.
Our quarantine authorities conduct full-length genome analysis on those who are currently entering the country from countries where mutant viruses, such as the UK and South Africa, etc., to confirm the presence of the mutant virus, and at the same time, further strengthened quarantine measures for foreign immigrants. Enforce.
In the meantime, a diagnostic test was conducted before quarantine was released for all entrants, and entry to the United Kingdom was suspended until January 7th, the fever standard for those arriving from England and South Africa was lowered to 37.3 degrees, visa issuance was restricted, and a negative PCR confirmation was submitted. We have taken measures such as mandatory.
From tomorrow, we will extend the suspension of entry for flights departing from the UK by two weeks until January 21st. Also, those arriving from England and South Africa. This applies to both domestic and foreign nationals. Even when submitting a negative PCR confirmation form, a diagnostic test will be conducted at a temporary living facility and will be quarantined at the facility until negative confirmation.
This action will take effect on January 12th. In addition, if the negative PCR confirmation is not submitted, Koreans will conduct diagnostic tests and quarantine at temporary living facilities, and foreigners will be banned from entering the country regardless of the length of stay.
In addition, as a case of confirmed family members living with the person subject to self-isolation has occurred, it is emphasized to more thoroughly comply with the existing rules of living for families and domestic partners living with the person subject to self-isolation. Next, I will tell you the main situation of the R&D status of therapeutic vaccines.
First of all, with regard to treatment, the Central Clinical Committee for New Infectious Diseases updated and published the COVID-19 treatment recommendation on December 24 last year. , Among immunomodulators, I would like to say that it has been recommended to actively use dexamethasone.
On the other hand, in the case of malaria treatments such as chloroquine single or combined therapy, it is not recommended because it does not appear to have the effect of Corona 19, and again and again, we do not recommend HIV protease inhibitors such as Kaletra.
Currently, remdesivir, a treatment for Corona 19 in Korea, has been supplied to 3108 confirmed patients in 105 hospitals. Regarding the clinical trials of blood system drugs currently being developed in Korea, the phase 2 clinical trials have been administered to 64 patients in 13 medical institutions.
Also, in this regard, 6554 people have registered for plasma donation, and 4139 people have actually completed plasma donation. Next is the matters related to life defense. Among the cases reported to the Safety Newspaper operated by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, there is a content related to religious facilities.
When filming an online worship service at a religious facility, a case of attending a worship service by attending a worship service with 20 people on a reservation basis was reported, and 14 members gathered at a medical institution related to a religious facility to conduct a face-to-face service without wearing a mask. It has been reported that in general households, they sang songs or held face-to-face meetings while being religious-related small groups.
In addition, hundreds of people at the university’s religious test center were reported to have had lunch together at the test center. In order to prevent and block the spread of Corona 19, our authorities re-emphasize to keep the number of gatherings to a minimum such as prohibiting face-to-face worship, prohibiting meetings and meals outside of the week of religious facilities, and making videos to less than 20 people during non-face-to-face worship.
A cold wave warning has been issued in most regions of the country. For the sake of health, I ask you to refrain from going out as much as possible and actively participate in social distancing, such as canceling events and meetings, to prevent cold disease and Corona 19.
In the new year, we will continue to share three tips regarding corona response. First of all, we cancel all private gatherings and stay safe at home. Religious activities, gatherings, and events are non-face-to-face and contactless.
Secondly, regardless of location and situation, avoid situations such as face-to-face meals, drinking, and smoking where you must always wear a mask and remove the mask indoors and outdoors where it is difficult to keep a distance of more than 2m.
Lastly, when you have suspicious symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms, you can quickly visit a screening clinic or temporary screening laboratory to receive an examination, and by actively issuing an examination request form at a medical institution, you can quickly receive an examination at the screening clinic without a separate interview procedure. Please actively cooperate.
Let me tell you a word. Currently, we are facing hope and anxiety regarding the Corona 19 epidemic. First, it is the positive situation we face.
Looking at the World Health Organization’s statistics, the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has decreased compared to the previous week for the second consecutive week. The domestic occurrence is also showing a decline compared to the same period last week, despite maintaining the number of weekly inspections.
Domestic weekly movement has also decreased. A domestic antibody treatment has applied for emergency use approval. Today, none of the corona 19 confirmed patients are waiting. Corona 19 vaccination will begin in Korea from next month.
Next are the areas of anxiety that require preparation and alertness. A mutant virus originating from the UK is being found in countries around the world. There are still cases of distancing violations in some domestic religious facilities.
The outbreak of group patients continues in vulnerable facilities that have already been bitter and worried. The cumulative death toll continues to be a two-digit number.
There is still a high percentage of investigating routes of infection. Although all domestic vaccines have entered phase 1 clinical trials, there is still a gap with the world. In this current situation, I think the last fortress is a general medical institution.
With the dedication of medical staff and the improved medical infection prevention system since the MERS outbreak in the past, we have maintained it without the spread of large-scale Corona 19 in large medical institutions until now.We will continue to manage it more thoroughly and preemptively.
As I mentioned, the external situation is a variable among the things that I am currently worried about. We will try to prevent the inflow of mutant strains from the UK or elsewhere in Korea as much as possible.
In addition to preventive management, we will thoroughly monitor and monitor. Our quarantine authorities are always working with proactive responses in mind. It is also true that it is lacking. I will work harder.
The comprehensive Corona 19 situation so far is the result of the accumulated efforts, patience, and sacrifice of all of us. Nevertheless, the decline is not large or fast. In this situation, difficulties due to prolonged distance are accumulating.
All of our quarantine officials and practitioners are always taking the attitude that all current site conditions are our responsibility. Excluding all other words, we will do our best in the field of quarantine.
For the safety of all, I ask that the people of the people patience a little more until the infection is suppressed reliably and participate in distancing and make an effort.
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