COVID-19 Cases Surge 2.7 Times in Israel and 5.5 Times in the UK

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The number of people vaccinated with domestic COVID-19 vaccines has surpassed 220,000.

Vaccinations are also progressing smoothly within Gangnam-gu.

By next Monday, vaccinations will be administered to 1,047 eligible individuals in local nursing hospitals and facilities.

As of the 4th, 801 people (76.5%) have been vaccinated. Vaccinations for workers at 23 high-risk medical institutions in the area also began on the 4th.

Originally scheduled to start on the 8th, the schedule was moved up thanks to the faster arrival of vaccine supplies in the country. Additionally, Gangnam-gu has allowed 50 nursing hospital and facility recipients who could not be vaccinated within the period due to circumstances to receive their vaccinations at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center. Fortunately, no one has reported vaccine side effects so far. Those who experienced mild symptoms such as headaches or nausea after vaccination saw their symptoms disappear within a day or two and are living healthy daily lives.

After six consecutive weeks of decline, global COVID-19 cases have recently increased. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in Israel, which has the highest vaccination rate, and the United Kingdom, which was the first country to start vaccinations, confirmed cases increased by 2.7 to 5.5 times within a month after vaccination began. Premature easing of quarantine measures following vaccination, the spread of variant viruses, and relaxed vigilance are cited as the main causes.

President Joe Biden’s criticism of Republican governors in Texas and Mississippi for lifting mask mandates as “primitive thinking” can be understood in this context. Experts also emphasize that quarantine rules such as social distancing and mask-wearing must be observed simultaneously, regardless of vaccination status.

There may be concerns among the public due to deaths occurring after vaccination and unfounded stories related to vaccines, but no direct link between death and vaccination has been established yet.

Moreover, no deaths related to the vaccines currently administered domestically have been reported anywhere in the world.

President Moon Jae-in also stated, “The government promises and takes responsibility for the safety of any vaccine.” Along with this, a recent study conducted by the Seoul National University COVID-19 Planning Research Group found that more than half of the population responded that COVID-19 vaccination is “everyone’s responsibility to protect others’ health.” Residents are urged not to be unnecessarily anxious, to trust the government, and to participate in vaccination according to the designated order.

Now, I will explain the COVID-19 status in Gangnam-gu.

This is the status of confirmed cases in Gangnam-gu. As of the 5th, cases have been confirmed up to number 1339. Cases 1331 to 1333 are family members of previously confirmed Gangnam-gu residents, and case 1339 tested positive after contact with a confirmed case from another region. Cases 1334 to 1338 were confirmed with symptoms such as muscle pain, but their infection routes are unknown and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.

As of the 5th, Gangnam-gu is managing 987 self-quarantined individuals, of whom 726 are overseas arrivals and 261 are domestic contacts.

The cumulative number of specimen tests conducted at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center screening clinic and temporary screening clinics is 232,925. On the 4th, among 1,769 tested individuals, 34 were overseas arrivals and 1,735 were domestic residents.

The “third wave” that began in mid-November last year has continued for four months. Domestic new COVID-19 cases, which once rose to the 1,000 range, have recently been fluctuating steadily between 300 and 400. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun warned that, citing the surge in cases one month after vaccination in the UK and Israel mentioned earlier, South Korea could face a fourth wave of COVID-19 between late March and early April.

In particular, in Seoul, additional confirmed cases continue due to the aftermath of existing cluster infections, with numbers around 100 since the 17th of last month. Infections are spreading not only in everyday places such as restaurants, hospitals, and saunas but also in daycare centers welcoming the new school term.

In this regard, Gangnam-gu conducted on-site inspections on the 2nd and 3rd in cooperation with Seoul City at 12 daycare centers with more than 100 children each, and has been making every effort to create a dense quarantine network through bi-monthly disinfection since last year. Furthermore, in collaboration with the education office, Gangnam-gu is continuously managing to ensure that quarantine guidelines are strictly followed in all educational institutions.

Meanwhile, Gangnam-gu is providing a management stabilization fund of 1 million KRW per business to 35,000 small businesses with less than 500 million KRW in sales and fewer than five regular employees that have been affected by the prolonged COVID-19 situation.

The management stabilization fund is a system first introduced nationwide by Gangnam-gu. Since it is paid directly in cash rather than as an interest-free loan, it has received strong support from small business owners. Recently, about 600 applications have been received daily both online and offline. Payments are made after screening in order of application, so please contact the call center or refer to the district office website for detailed information.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that thinking COVID-19 can be eradicated by the end of this year is premature and unrealistic. We are currently in the “With COVID” era, managing the infection situation while continuing daily life. There is no shortcut in quarantine. Especially at times like this, proactive specimen testing based on the infectious disease response principle of “early detection, early containment” is crucial. Residents are encouraged to visit temporary screening clinics or the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center for specimen testing if they feel even slightly unwell.

Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all medical staff who are fighting COVID-19 on the front lines, from patient treatment to vaccination, at public health centers, residential treatment centers, and dedicated hospitals.

Also, every single citizen who actively participates and cooperates with social distancing despite the frustrating situation is a hero. To win the war against COVID-19, please continue to trust the government and muster a little more strength as you have done so far.