Gov’t calls for COVID vaccinations amid spike in cases in neighboring countries

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Health authorities in Korea are calling for older adults to receive COVID-19 vaccines as a resurgent wave spreads across neighboring countries.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Friday that the risk of spread here should not be dismissed, despite no such signs observed so far here.

Between May 11 and 17, 100 patients were admitted to hospitals after contracting the virus, a decrease from 146 the previous week, officials said. In the past four weeks, there has been no drastic change in the number of patients, they added.

But given a recent surge in cases in Singapore, China and other Asian countries, the public should take precautions by wearing masks, washing hands frequently and getting vaccinated for COVID-19, the agency said.

“To prevent domestic transmission and outbreaks, it’s important to take precautions such as washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough and wearing a mask in crowds,” agency chief Jee Young-mee said. “In particular, high-risk groups such as the elderly, those with weak immune systems and patients staying in medical facilities vulnerable to infection should get vaccinated now to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19.”

In Singapore, the estimated number of COVID-19 cases stood at 14,200 as of May 3, up from 11,100 in the previous week, according to local media reports.

More than 19,097 outpatient and emergency visits were also reported in Taiwan from May 11 to 17. In Hong Kong, authorities said that rates of COVID-19 there climbed to the worst levels they have seen in at least a year.