[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "There has been a case where one confirmed patient infected about 160 people within 3 to 4 weeks."
Kang Do-tae, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated on the 23rd, "As the weather gets colder, quiet transmission in daily life has caused over 2,000 confirmed cases in the past week, marking the beginning of the third wave."
Kang emphasized that this week is a crucial one that will determine the success or failure of the efforts made by all citizens so far.
He said, "Unlike the first and second waves, recent infections are quietly spreading among family and acquaintances or in spaces where masks must be removed," adding, "There was even a case where one confirmed patient infected about 160 people within 3 to 4 weeks."
In the group infection case at a nursing facility in Anyang and Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, 166 confirmed cases occurred from the 20th of last month to the 18th of this month.
Kang stated, "If we fail to break this chain of infection, both quarantine and medical response could become unsustainable," and added, "This is why every member of society must strictly follow quarantine rules and practice social distancing in their respective places to curb the increase in confirmed cases."
The government announced the elevation of social distancing to level 2 in the metropolitan area and other regions the day before.
Kang expressed, "It is very regrettable that we have to raise the level to 2 again just three days after the upgrade to level 1.5," and said, "Preemptive quarantine measures are inevitable to prepare for the upcoming College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) next week and to prevent a large-scale outbreak that could severely damage our daily lives and economy."
He explained that daily life control is an unavoidable measure to block the spread of infection regardless of time and place, including family and acquaintance gatherings, saunas, sports facilities, academies, and medical institutions.
He continued, "In a recent survey on COVID-19 awareness, nearly half responded that infection is a matter of luck," adding, "COVID-19 infection is not a problem of an unlucky individual; no one is free from the risk of infection."
The current infectivity has also increased by more than 50%. The reproduction number rose from 1.02 in the third week of last month to 1.55 in the third week of this month.
Kang urged, "There have been research reports showing that even healthy young people can suffer serious damage to the liver or lungs if infected with COVID-19," and requested, "Please practice quarantine rules and social distancing even in gatherings with family, relatives, and acquaintances; make telecommuting and non-face-to-face meetings routine at all workplaces; and wear masks thoroughly in multi-use facilities such as restaurants."
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