[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jihwan] The quarantine authorities forecast that the cumulative number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Seoul metropolitan area will soon reach 10,000, but the downward trend is expected to continue. It is anticipated that more than two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be required once it is released.
At the regular briefing on the 19th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stated, "The population of the Seoul metropolitan area accounts for more than half of the entire population of South Korea, and the number of cases will soon exceed 10,000," but added, "We believe the decreasing trend will continue."
As of midnight that day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the Seoul metropolitan area was 9,950, including 4,944 in Seoul, 4,130 in Gyeonggi, and 876 in Incheon.
He said, "The first wave of COVID-19 occurred mainly among Shincheonji Church members in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, but since early May, with outbreaks starting in Itaewon entertainment venues and recently multiple outbreaks centered in the Seoul metropolitan area, the response in the metropolitan area is crucial."
However, he explained, "There are many difficulties in responding to the metropolitan area. Due to the large population and various circumstances, there are challenges in epidemiological investigations and contact tracing and management." He added, "Currently, there are many unclassified cases centered in the metropolitan area, so we will activate local organizations as soon as possible to strengthen epidemiological and tracing investigations focused on the metropolitan area."
Deputy Director Kwon anticipated that more than two doses of the vaccine will be necessary once it is released, and that epidemiological investigations may be conducted concurrently during the process, so the overall vaccination schedule is expected to proceed very slowly.
He stated, "The number of vaccine doses is expected to be two, and if any adverse reactions are reported during the vaccination process, epidemiological investigations will be necessary. Vaccinations may be temporarily suspended, and the vaccination schedule is very likely to proceed slowly due to social distancing and appointment-based vaccinations."
He continued, "Even if vaccines are developed and secured worldwide, we are considering a method to start vaccinations safely and perfectly after carefully reviewing the progress and occurrence of side effects of over 500,000 to about 1 million initial vaccinations in countries where vaccinations began earlier."
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