Jeong Eun-kyung: "Unified Pause Needed to Prevent Last Christmas for Elderly Patients with Underlying Conditions" (Update)

Administrative Order for Infection-Vulnerable Facilities... "Prohibition of Private Gatherings for Workers After Work"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "To prevent elderly patients with underlying conditions from having their last Christmas due to infection, a united pause and cancellation of face-to-face gatherings by all of us are necessary."

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at the regular briefing on the domestic occurrence status of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the 21st, "This week is a meaningful week with Christmas," and repeatedly urged, "Please cancel face-to-face gatherings such as religious events, year-end parties, alumni meetings, and company dinners while reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas, which is to share warm comfort and hope."

Director Jung said, "Today, the cumulative number of infections has exceeded 50,000, and the number of deaths reached 24, the highest so far," adding, "The positive rate of tests among suspected patients has also risen above 2%, showing an increasing trend, especially in the metropolitan area where the risk of community infection has become very high."

He expressed concern, saying, "The people we need to protect are the elderly, who are also our parents, and patients with underlying conditions," and "If the scale of community infection increases, the epidemic will spread to vulnerable facilities through workers, eventually leading to severe cases and deaths."

Accordingly, the quarantine authorities plan to strengthen COVID-19 prevention management in vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals by mandating periodic proactive testing for workers through administrative orders. Starting from the 21st, the testing interval for all workers in vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and psychiatric hospitals will be shortened from 2 weeks to 1 week in the metropolitan area, and from 4 weeks to 2 weeks in non-metropolitan areas.

In addition, through administrative orders for vulnerable facilities, all workers are prohibited from private gatherings after work to block the spread of infections within institutions caused by external infection sources. Facility heads must designate quarantine managers and fulfill mandatory duties such as periodic proactive testing of workers, prohibition of private gatherings, constant mask-wearing, symptom checks, and measures for people within the institution. Failure to comply will result in measures such as restrictions on compensation for medical institutions, reduction of health insurance benefits, and claims for damages.

Director Jung emphasized, "As contact between people increases during Christmas and the year-end holidays, the spread of infection by asymptomatic and mild cases is highly concerning," adding, "The remaining period in December is a very critical time when government quarantine measures and public compliance with quarantine rules are extremely important."

He continued, "Given the current situation, the best way to respond to COVID-19 is to properly follow basic quarantine rules," and added, "Please cancel gatherings with people other than cohabiting family members, wear masks indoors, and be especially careful when eating or talking with close friends."