Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, is speaking while presiding over a COVID-19 response meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex on the morning of the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] The government emphasized adherence to quarantine rules, stating that although there has been no explosive spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) after the Chuseok holiday, cluster infections continue in nursing hospitals and rehabilitation hospitals.
Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), said in his opening remarks at the CDSCH meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 19th, "The daily average number of domestic confirmed cases over the past week, adjusted to level 1 of 'social distancing,' is 62.1, maintaining a similar level to last week," adding, "There has been no large-scale spread due to the Chuseok holiday yet, but risk factors such as concerns over the autumn influenza season are scattered, so we cannot afford to lower our guard."
He also stated, "Sporadic small-scale infections continue in major high-risk facilities such as family and acquaintances' small gatherings, door-to-door sales, and call centers." The quarantine authorities will begin comprehensive COVID-19 testing today for approximately 160,000 workers and users of nursing hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and nursing facilities in the metropolitan area.
Park expressed particular concern by citing recent cluster infections in nursing hospitals, saying, "When confirmed cases occur in nursing hospitals and medical institutions, there is a high possibility of leading to large-scale cluster infections, and the risk of developing into severe cases is also high."
He urged, "Hospitals and nursing facilities should thoroughly implement quarantine rules such as managing workers and conducting diagnostic tests when symptoms appear, and related ministries and frontline local governments should provide support."
Meanwhile, at the CDSCH meeting on the same day, plans for quarantine management related to daily spaces such as academies and restaurants, as well as events like fairs and exhibitions, were reviewed.
Regarding this, Park said, "Even though the social distancing level has been lowered, we will carry out more meticulous quarantine management of multi-use facilities to minimize infection risks."
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