Gov't warns of possible second wave of infections during upcoming holidays

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Wed, November 29, 2023 | 14:33

Health & Science

Gov't warns of possible second wave of infections during upcoming holidays

Posted : 2020-04-28 17:18

Updated : 2020-04-29 09:54

Kwon Joon-wook, a senior official in charge of COVID-19 quarantine measures, speaks during a press conference in Sejong, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Kim Se-jeong

Korea may face a second wave of the coronavirus infection during the upcoming holidays, which will begin Thursday, as more people are expected to travel and engage in outdoor activities, government officials warned Tuesday. The officials are urging the public to practice social-distancing and follow personal hygiene guidelines when they venture out.

"These holidays will be a critical time for the development of the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea because many people are planning to travel and gather together," said Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip, who is in charge of the government's coronavirus response, during a daily meeting. "As your physical distance shrinks, so does the possibility of the spread of COVID-19. Please don't forget this."

"For the last 100 days, we have faced big and small crises. And we've reached where we are thanks to many citizens who faithfully participated in social-distancing. Yet, it's still too early to lower our guard."

The warning came after Korea reported 14 new infections Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 10,738. Fatalities reached 244, up one from the previous day.

Among the 14, 12 cases were imported from overseas, while two involved people who had no record of traveling outside Korea.

Jeju Island local government said it would step up preventive COVID-19 measures targeting tourists who visit the island during the holidays. According to local news reports, almost 180,000 people are expected to visit the island. All arrivals will have their temperature checked and those with a 37.3 Celsius or higher body temperature will be required to be monitored by the local quarantine authorities.

The quarantine authorities said the coronavirus can spread fast due to asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus, and the likelihood of infection will be much higher in this period.

The government has imposed self-quarantine measure on almost all people entering Korea, but more than 200 people have violated this, visiting restaurants, malls and saunas among others. Violators could face fines or even imprisonment; while from Monday they are being asked to wear electronic bracelets so their whereabouts can be monitored.

The health authorities also announced Tuesday that it was aware of six additional COVID-19 symptoms reported by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is closely watching whether patients in Korea exhibit them.

The main symptoms for the disease are fever, cough and shortness of breath, but on Sunday, the CDC added muscle pains, headaches, sore throats, chills and loss of taste or smell as additional potential symptoms.

skim@koreatimes.co.kr