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New COVID-19 variants threaten Korea

People wait in long lines for COVID-19 testing at a temporary testing center in front of Seoul Station, Wednesday. YonhapVariants believed to be more infectious and resistant to vaccinesBy Jun Ji-hyeThe health authorities here are on alert over the new Delta plus variant of the coronavirus, as the country reported one more case of the variant, bringing the total caseload to three. The Delta plus variant is related to the highly contagious Delta variant, already causing much concern, after it was first identified in India. The Delta variant has recently become the dominant strain in Korea, driving the fourth wave of infections here.The authorities are also paying keen attention to the possibility of the arrival of the Lambda variant of the coronavirus, as the new variant has already been found in several Asian countries, including neighboring Japan. The Lambda variant, first identified in Peru, is believed to be more infectious than the original strain of the coronavirus, and to have stronger resistance to vaccines, though to what extent is not known so far. Korea's Central Disease Co

Aug 18, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
New COVID-19 variants threaten Korea

AZ vaccine unexpectedly catching on among 30s, 40s

An individual receives a coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Dongjak District, Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Many people in their 30s and 40s are snatching up leftover AstraZeneca vaccines, after the government recently revised the age limit for the vaccine, defying earlier expectations that they would shun the product due to concerns over the risk of side effects. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) lowered the minimum age of eligibility for the vaccine to 30, Aug. 13, a change from its previous policy that made it available only to people aged over 50, due to concerns it may cause blood clots in a small number of recipients. It explained the decision as a measure to use leftover doses effectively, as well as to give more opportunities to individuals who wish to be vaccinated ahead of their inoculation schedule. The health authorities also noted that only three people among 12.69 million administered cases of AstraZeneca here were officially confirmed to have suffered from thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), one of whom died. Contrar

Aug 18, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
AZ vaccine unexpectedly catching on among 30s, 40s

Toughest Level 4 distancing rules take effect on Jeju Island

Vacationers enjoy their time at Hamdeok Beach in Jeju, Aug. 17. YonhapThe toughest Level 4 social distancing rules went into effect on the southern resort island of Jeju on Wednesday, as authorities struggle to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 among tourists and residents.The Jeju provincial government said the Level 4 scheme, up one notch from the previous Level 3, will be enforced throughout the island until Aug. 29, imposing strict restraints on people's gatherings and activities.Under the new rules, private gatherings of up to two people are allowed after 6 p.m. and up to four people before 6 p.m. For instance, three or more people, excluding family members living together, are prohibited from traveling by a rental car or staying together in an accommodation.All 12 public beaches and 498 elderly welfare facilities on the island will remain closed during the Level 4 period.Multi-use facilities, including restaurants and cafes, are allowed to operate until 10 p.m. and 1,035 adult entertainment facilities, including bars, clubs and singing rooms, are ordered closed temporarily.

Aug 18, 2021
Toughest Level 4 distancing rules take effect on Jeju Island

New cases spike to over 1,800s, further rise in store after holiday

A man gets tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in Seoul Station, Aug. 18. YonhapSouth Korea's daily new coronavirus cases rose back to the 1,800s for the first time in three days on Wednesday, following the extended weekend, and health authorities remain vigilant against a further rise down the road.The country added 1,805 more COVID-19 cases, including 1,767 local infections, raising the total caseload to 228,657, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).Daily infections rebounded after falling to 1,556 on Monday and 1,373 on Tuesday due to fewer tests over the weekend and the Liberation Day that fell on Monday. The figures stood at 1,930 on Saturday and 1,817 on Sunday.The country added five more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,178. The fatality rate was 0.95 percent.Since early July, South Korea has been grappling with the fourth wave of the pandemic amid the fast spread of the more transmissible delta variant and slow vaccinations.For more than a month, the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's 52 million people, has be

Aug 18, 2021
New cases spike to over 1,800s, further rise in store after holiday

People looking for travel companions online despite Delta variant spread

People enjoying their vacations at Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island, Tuesday, a day before the beach was shut down in accordance with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province's decision to raise the level of the social distancing measures to the highest level of 4 in an effort to curb a spike in COVID-19 cases on the island. YonhapJeju raises social distancing measures to level 4 amid increasing infections By Jun Ji-hyeThese days, it is not hard to come across online posts from young people looking for travel companions during their summer vacations, as well as during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, despite mounting concern over the ongoing fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, led by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.Those uploading such posts ask complete strangers online to join their trips to various locations, such as the southern resort island of Jeju or Gangwon Province that boast beautiful beaches. “I am looking for companions who can travel around Jeju Island with me at the end of August. I prefer those who have a driver license as I don't. Let's enjoy swimm

Aug 18, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
People looking for travel companions online despite Delta variant spread

Moderna to increase vaccine supply to Korea in coming months

Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae speaks during a briefing at the Sejong Government Complex, Tuesday, on the outcomes of the meeting with executives from Moderna, during the government delegation's visit to the drug firm's U.S. headquarters, Aug. 13. YonhapCritics say US firm's plan lacks details such as schedules, amountsBy Lee Hyo-jin Moderna will increase its supply of COVID-19 vaccine this month and September, and make every effort to speed up the planned delivery of doses for next month, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Tuesday. The U.S. pharmaceutical company will inform the ministry about specific shipment dates and amounts by the end of the week, the ministry added. This agreement was reached during a meeting between a government delegation and Moderna officials at the drug firm's headquarters in Massachusetts, Aug. 13 (local time). The delegation, led by Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae, made the visit to deliver a protest on supply setbacks and discuss ways to resolve delayed vaccine shipments. Earlier last week, Moderna notified the health authorities here that it wo

Aug 17, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Moderna to increase vaccine supply to Korea in coming months

Korea faces medical system crisis amid fourth wave of infections

People wait for COVID-19 testing at a screening center of a public health center in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Bahk Eun-jiConcerns are mounting over a possible shortage of beds in hospital intensive care units (ICU) and at treatment centers, as the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic here shows no signs of abating. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, 272, or 33.6 percent, of the 810 hospital beds for critically ill patients across the country were available as of 5 p.m., Monday. There are 18,053 beds in 79 treatment centers for patients with mild symptoms, and 6,829 beds were available, but some regions have been facing shortages. Seventeen of 18 ICU beds in South Chungcheong Province are already in use, leaving just one available. Daejeon also has only two of its 14 ICU beds left.Among 431 beds allocated to semi-critical patients, just 154 or 35.7 percent remain. These are patients who are unlikely to improve from their current status, or whose condition is highly likely to worsen.The number of beds for such patients is also reaching its li

Aug 17, 2021By Bahk Eun-ji
Korea faces medical system crisis amid fourth wave of infections

Jeju shifts to toughest Level 4 distancing to cope with rising COVID-19 cases

Hamdeok Beach in Jeju Island is crowded with vacationers, Aug. 17. YonhapJeju Island, South Korea's most popular travel destination, is set to raise its social distancing restrictions to the toughest Level 4 this week to cope with a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the provincial government said Tuesday.The Jeju government said the Level 4 social distancing rules, up one notch from the current Level 3, will take effect throughout the resort island Wednesday and last until midnight of Aug. 29.Under Level 4, all 12 public beaches and 498 elderly welfare facilities on the island will be closed. Private gatherings of up to two people are allowed after 6 p.m. and up to four people before 6 p.m.Multi-use facilities, including restaurants and cafes, will be allowed to operate until 10 p.m. and 1,035 adult entertainment facilities, including bars, clubs and singing rooms, will be ordered closed temporarily.Jeju reported 290 confirmed COVID-19 cases for the past week, or a daily average of 41.43.At present, the greater Seoul area and six cities out of the area, including the southern port city

Aug 17, 2021
Jeju shifts to toughest Level 4 distancing to cope with rising COVID-19 cases

New infections dip to 1,300s on fewer tests, post-holiday resurgence worried

A citizen gets a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Dongjak District, Seoul, Aug. 17. YonhapSouth Korea's daily new coronavirus cases fell back to the 1,300s on Tuesday due to fewer tests over the extended weekend amid concerns over a potential upsurge down the road.The country added 1,373 more COVID-19 cases, including 1,323 local infections, raising the total caseload to 226,854, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).Daily infections fell from 1,556 on Monday, 1,817 on Sunday and 1,930 on Saturday, but the decline was attributable to fewer tests over the three-day holiday.The country added six more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,173. The fatality rate was 0.96 percent.Since early July, South Korea has been grappling with the fourth wave of the pandemic amid the fast spread of the more transmissible delta variant and slow vaccinations.For more than a month, the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's 52 million people, has been under the toughest virus curbs, and some regions outside the greater Seoul area are also

Aug 17, 2021
New infections dip to 1,300s on fewer tests, post-holiday resurgence worried

Gov't to incentivize vaccine trial volunteers

A researcher at SK Bioscience works on a potential coronavirus vaccine at the company's manufacturing plant in this undated photo. Courtesy of SK BioscienceBy Lee Hyo-jin The Korean government will offer incentives to participants in clinical trials of domestic COVID-19 vaccines, as a part of its efforts to expedite vaccine development here amid the ongoing global competition in vaccine procurement. “We will put our full efforts into the safe development of domestic vaccines, while doing our best to provide incentives for those who are participating in clinical trials,” Sohn Young-rae, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said during a briefing, Sunday.While detailed incentive measures are yet to be disclosed, the government is considering offering opportunities for early vaccination ahead of the inoculation schedule, or various discounts to volunteers for participating in clinical trials. “Amid the ongoing global competition in securing COVID-19 vaccines, achieving vaccine sovereignty through producing locally developed products will be a first ste

Aug 17, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't to incentivize vaccine trial volunteers
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