COVID-19 Cases Rising Again... Moon Calls Meeting for Review

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the spread of COVID-19 continues, the number of confirmed cases has remained in the 600s for three consecutive days. On the 12th, President Moon Jae-in will hold a special COVID-19 response quarantine inspection meeting to review the response to COVID-19.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on the 11th, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases increased by 614, bringing the total to 109,559.

Thus, the number of new confirmed cases has stayed in the 600s for three consecutive days. This three-day streak of 600s is the first time in three months since early January, when the 'third wave' was at its peak.

Amid rising concerns about a fourth wave, the Blue House is convening a special COVID-19 response quarantine inspection meeting on the 12th to review the quarantine measures.

Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok stated, "President Moon will preside over the 'Special COVID-19 Response Quarantine Inspection Meeting' at the Blue House on the 12th to review COVID-19 response strategies, including vaccine supply plans." Attending the meeting will be Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yoon-cheol, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Kim Gang-lip, and Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Jung Eun-kyung.

This appears to be a cross-government effort to review the COVID-19 response posture, soothe public sentiment, and address national issues. After the ruling party's defeat in the April 7 by-elections, President Moon stated that he would approach state affairs with a "more humble attitude and a heavy sense of responsibility," listing economic recovery, stabilization of people’s livelihoods, eradication of real estate corruption, and overcoming COVID-19 as key tasks.

Attention is also focused on whether President Moon will once again mention vaccine safety issues at this meeting. The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced on the 8th that the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, which had been temporarily postponed or suspended due to side effects such as blood clots, will resume vaccinations starting on the 12th.