<중대본> "COVID-19 Spread Stabilizing Phase... Will Establish Mid- to Long-Term Plan for Emerging Infectious Diseases"

Park Min-su, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), is delivering opening remarks while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 8th.
[Photo by Ministry of Health and Welfare]

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters a stabilization phase, the government is set to establish a mid- to long-term plan to prepare for new infectious disease pandemics in the 'post-COVID-19' era.

Park Min-su, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 8th, "The average daily number of confirmed COVID-19 cases last week was in the 9,000s, marking a decline for 10 consecutive weeks," adding, "It has fallen below 10,000 for the first time in 35 weeks."

He continued, "The infection reproduction number is 0.93, remaining below 1 for 9 consecutive weeks, and the utilization rate of severe care beds is 21.7%, indicating sufficient capacity."

Furthermore, Chief Coordinator Park said, "Although the COVID-19 pandemic has entered a stabilization phase, experts predict that new infectious diseases similar to COVID-19 will occur more frequently in the future, with increasing health, social, and economic damages," adding, "To thoroughly prepare for future new infectious disease threats, it is necessary to go beyond short-term responses to urgent quarantine crises and proactively prepare for innovation in infectious disease capabilities."

He emphasized, "The government will establish and implement a mid- to long-term plan to prepare for new infectious disease pandemics, ensuring sufficient quarantine capabilities throughout the entire process, including disease surveillance, initial response, large-scale outbreak management, and recovery of daily life."

Chief Coordinator Park also stated, "To smoothly achieve full recovery of daily life, it is essential for high-risk groups such as those aged 60 and above to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and to adhere to personal quarantine measures such as handwashing and ventilation," and he urged, "We ask for the continued participation and cooperation of all citizens."