469 Severe Cases, 42 Deaths... Infection Reproduction Number Above 1 for 7 Consecutive Weeks
Measures to Improve Low Oral Antiviral Treatment Rates in Certain Areas Also Underway
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The number of new COVID-19 cases reached about 180,000, the highest level in 18 weeks. With the infection reproduction number at 1.18 last week, maintaining above 1 for seven consecutive weeks, concerns about the spread are growing. Accordingly, the government plans to operate weekend duty hospitals with severe care beds and accelerate vaccination rates.
On the 17th, Kim Seong-ho, the 2nd General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and Director of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, stated in the CDSCH meeting, "With increased mobility expected this week during the summer vacation and Gwangbokjeol holiday period, the number of new COVID-19 cases has reached the highest level in 18 weeks," adding, "The number of critically ill patients is 469, and deaths are 42."
In response, the government decided to operate weekend duty hospitals with severe care beds mainly in tertiary general hospitals in the metropolitan area for six weeks starting from the 20th. Kim, the 2nd General Coordinator, explained, "As the number of confirmed cases increases, difficulties have arisen in assigning beds to high-risk patients including those with severe underlying conditions, high-risk pregnant women, and newborns during weekends and holidays," adding, "We will operate weekend duty hospitals with severe care beds so that confirmed patients requiring prompt bed assignment can receive appropriate treatment during weekends and holidays."
He continued, "We will maximize vaccination rates by providing visiting vaccinations and vaccination conveniences targeting facilities with low 4th dose vaccination rates, such as facilities for the disabled."
Measures to improve the low administration rate of oral antiviral treatments in certain regions will also be prepared. Kim said, "We will monitor the administration status of treatments by city and province, analyze obstacles in regions with low administration rates, and prepare improvement plans," adding, "We will actively encourage treatment administration in vulnerable facilities such as nursing homes through contracted doctors and mobile task forces."
Measures to prevent cluster outbreaks in areas affected by heavy rain will also be implemented. Kim explained, "We will separate confirmed and non-confirmed patients, and if confirmed cases occur in shelters for disaster victims, they will be immediately transferred to other isolation facilities such as regional social welfare facilities and lodging facilities according to symptoms."
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