"Timing of Report Cards After Adjusting Social Distancing to Level 1... Urgent Need for Quarantine in High-Risk Facilities" (Update)

"During Seasonal Change, Young and Middle-aged Adults with Respiratory Symptoms Should Get Tested for COVID-19"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "From now on, it is time to see the report card after the adjustment of social distancing Level 1 in earnest."

At the regular briefing on the 20th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated, "Domestic COVID-19 cases are still continuing to stabilize."

Deputy Director Kwon mentioned that the most urgent task is to block and detect early cluster outbreaks in high-risk groups vulnerable to COVID-19, such as nursing facilities and psychiatric hospitals, and that eliminating silent transmission in the community is a key challenge.

He emphasized, "How faithfully all of us follow quarantine rules such as social distancing, wearing masks, hand hygiene, disinfection, and fever monitoring will determine whether we face another wave of COVID-19 or successfully block it at this important time."

Deputy Director Kwon said, "Above all, it is most important that the general public participates in quarantine activities and follows the rules," adding, "The sustainability of proper quarantine policies is also crucial." He explained that lessons can be learned from some Eastern European countries that initially led in mask-wearing but experienced a resurgence due to negligence midway.

He said, "When conflicting messages come from the leadership responsible for quarantine, or when a united front is not shown, we inevitably see COVID-19 flare up again," adding, "We will take overseas cases as a lesson and prepare thoroughly for a long-term battle."

Deputy Director Kwon stated, "Now, research and development results for treatments and vaccines are appearing one after another domestically and internationally," and said, "I believe we are entering a phase that will mark a turning point in managing the COVID-19 epidemic."

He continued, "Especially at times like this, maintaining the principles of social distancing and continuing to suppress COVID-19 will prevent the tragic sacrifices of high-risk groups and minimize damage to small business owners and self-employed individuals."

He urged people to get tested for COVID-19 if respiratory symptoms appear during the change of seasons. Deputy Director Kwon emphasized, "Especially for young and middle-aged adults, when respiratory symptoms appear during the seasonal transition, do not dismiss it as a simple cold and get tested for COVID-19 without delay."