S. Korean PM urges preparation for second wave of COVID-19
- 4 years ago
정세균 총리 “수도권 병상부족 우려… 확진자 격리해제 기준 완화”
The number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea rose again Wednesday in cluster infections across the country.
As part of efforts to effectively manage the country's medical resources, the government has eased its criteria for people to be released from quarantine.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
South Korea saw 51 more cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, up from 46 cases the day before... and just 17 on Monday, which was the lowest in almost a month.
That brings the total number of infections to 12,535.
Of the new ones, 20 were imported from overseas and the rest were part of cluster infections mostly in the capital area.
To make sure there are enough beds in case of a second wave, the government has revised the standards so they'll be used only for people who are contagious or have serious symptoms.
"Under no circumstances should anyone go without treatment again because of a lack of sickbeds. To prepare for a second wave, we must be able to effectively make use of our medical resources to protect the lives of the people."
Under the new measures, beginning Thursday, COVID-19 patients could be released from quarantine if they no symptoms for 10 days after testing positive. Patients with symptoms, 10 days after testing positive, can be let go if they have no fever for 72 hours without medication.
Now, quarantine decisions will be based more on symptoms rather than polymerase-chain-reaction testing, which often yields a positive result even when the patient is not contagious.
The government has also strengthened quarantine controls on Russian ships arriving in the southern port city of Busan from Wednesday.
There, at least 17 crew members on ships from Russia have tested positive, exposing a loophole in quarantine procedures at ports.
Passengers and crew arriving in Busan will now be tested onboard their ships... instead of being admitted with only an electronic health questionnaire.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang news.
The number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea rose again Wednesday in cluster infections across the country.
As part of efforts to effectively manage the country's medical resources, the government has eased its criteria for people to be released from quarantine.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
South Korea saw 51 more cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, up from 46 cases the day before... and just 17 on Monday, which was the lowest in almost a month.
That brings the total number of infections to 12,535.
Of the new ones, 20 were imported from overseas and the rest were part of cluster infections mostly in the capital area.
To make sure there are enough beds in case of a second wave, the government has revised the standards so they'll be used only for people who are contagious or have serious symptoms.
"Under no circumstances should anyone go without treatment again because of a lack of sickbeds. To prepare for a second wave, we must be able to effectively make use of our medical resources to protect the lives of the people."
Under the new measures, beginning Thursday, COVID-19 patients could be released from quarantine if they no symptoms for 10 days after testing positive. Patients with symptoms, 10 days after testing positive, can be let go if they have no fever for 72 hours without medication.
Now, quarantine decisions will be based more on symptoms rather than polymerase-chain-reaction testing, which often yields a positive result even when the patient is not contagious.
The government has also strengthened quarantine controls on Russian ships arriving in the southern port city of Busan from Wednesday.
There, at least 17 crew members on ships from Russia have tested positive, exposing a loophole in quarantine procedures at ports.
Passengers and crew arriving in Busan will now be tested onboard their ships... instead of being admitted with only an electronic health questionnaire.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang news.