President Moon: "Many Chinese Tourists... Responding to Coronavirus 24 Hours a Day"

"Do not have excessive anxiety, trust the government"

"Respond without lowering vigilance during the holiday period"

"Blocking patient inflow through thorough quarantine is important"

[Asia Economy Reporter Shim Nayoung] On the 26th, President Moon Jae-in said regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, "Because there are many Chinese travelers and returning visitors, the government is maintaining vigilance without lowering it during the Lunar New Year holiday and operating a 24-hour response system," and added, "I ask you to trust the government and not have excessive anxiety."

Regarding the occurrence of the third confirmed patient on the same day, President Moon said, "The government is making every necessary effort at all levels together with local governments," and added, "I also called the Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Director of the National Medical Center to encourage them and requested that they work hard on the response."

Cheong Wa Dae Deputy Spokesperson Han Jung-woo stated that President Moon delivered this message to the public, saying, "President Moon received a report on the 'novel coronavirus infection response situation' and gave related instructions during a phone call with Director Jung Eun-kyung of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Director Jung Ki-hyun of the National Medical Center from 10:25 to 10:37 a.m. today."

In the call with Director Jung, President Moon emphasized the importance of blocking patient inflow from the quarantine stage and stressed the need for thorough quarantine at airports and ports. Director Jung reported detailed information on the three confirmed patients and the virus spread stage, and said, "As the agency responsible for quarantine response, we will actively strive in the response," according to the deputy spokesperson.

President Moon also instructed, "Since patients with fever and respiratory symptoms who have visited epidemic areas in China may continue to visit medical institutions, cooperate with medical organizations to properly inform healthcare workers of related information and devise support measures so they can respond accordingly." Director Jung responded that a new testing method will soon be introduced to expand testing capacity in preparation for increased demand.

President Moon asked Director Jung to also make encouragement calls to medical institutions currently accommodating confirmed patients, such as Incheon Medical Center and Myongji Hospital.