Expert: "If This Week Goes Well, Stability by Late March... Remote Work Needed for Companies and Schools"

Coronavirus. Photo by US National Institutes of Health [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, advised on the 24th regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which has recently spread nationwide starting from Daegu and Gyeongbuk, to "reduce social activities as well as personal contact to the minimum."

Professor Eom appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' in the afternoon and said, "The government has raised the alert level from serious to crisis and is showing a determination to mobilize all medical and social support." He added, "In the Daegu area, movement restrictions have been imposed to minimize contact with confirmed cases, and unless it is absolutely necessary, reducing social activities as much as possible is the most important measure."

He stated, "Currently, we are at the brink of a nationwide community infection outbreak. If we fail to contain it now, thousands of confirmed cases could emerge." He predicted, "If the spread does not slow down this week, it is highly likely that nationwide community transmission will occur."

He also emphasized, "In workplaces and schools, social consideration is needed to allow remote work or to accept sick leave even if one does not formally take it when experiencing respiratory symptoms." He advised, "If you have respiratory symptoms or a fever, you should rest sufficiently at home for 3 to 4 days, and if symptoms worsen, contact 1339 or your local health center."

Furthermore, he predicted, "If we can firmly control the spread this week, I think the situation will stabilize around the end of March."