Jung Sye-kyun: "First Domestic Case of COVID-19 Infection in Companion Animals Confirmed... Management Guidelines Needed"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 24th. January 24, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on the 24th, "During the epidemiological investigation of a recent cluster infection case, the quarantine authorities confirmed that a companion animal was infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."

Prime Minister Chung presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 at the Government Seoul Office and said, "This is the first confirmed case of a companion animal infection in the country." He added, "This may cause concern and anxiety among those who consider their companion animals as family and live with them daily, as well as many citizens who commonly come into contact with companion animals in their daily lives."

He urged the quarantine authorities, saying, "The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) should scientifically assess the possibility of COVID-19 transmission between humans and animals and disclose it transparently." He also requested, "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs should coordinate with the quarantine authorities to establish companion animal management guidelines to alleviate public anxiety."

Since the government implemented the new social distancing adjustment measures, the average daily number of confirmed cases over the past week has decreased by about 130 compared to the previous week. Prime Minister Chung said, "I hope this downward trend continues this week as well," adding, "Although the decrease in confirmed cases is clearly positive, we must thoroughly prepare for risk factors that could cause a resurgence, such as silent transmission within the community and the influx of variant viruses."

He continued, "This week will be a very important time to solidify the current downward trend into a stable phase and to decide on the social distancing levels and quarantine standards to be applied from February." He emphasized, "In particular, this quarantine measure requires comprehensive review considering the Lunar New Year holiday." He further stated, "Most experts point out that when strengthening quarantine measures, it should be done swiftly, but when easing them, it should be done cautiously and carefully." He urged, "Please have sufficient discussions centered on the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and the Central Disease Control Headquarters, along with relevant ministries, local governments, and experts."