[사진 출처 = 연합뉴스]As the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Korea has reached 10,000, the Omicron pandemic is becoming a reality.
According to the Central Defense Countermeasures Headquarters (Bangdaebon) on the 26th, as of 00:00 the previous day, there were 8571 new confirmed cases in Korea.
The number increased by 1,059 from the previous day (7512), the highest number since the domestic Corona 19 crisis that began in January 2020.
As of 00:00 on that day, the number of new confirmed cases to be announced is expected to exceed 10,000.
This is the same day as the previous day, breaking the highest number of new confirmed cases.
Quarantine authorities and experts anticipate that the number of confirmed cases will become steeper due to the spread of Omicron mutation.
Assuming that the transmission rate of the Omicron mutation is three times that of the delta mutation, the number of new confirmed cases will reach 27,000 to 36,800 by the middle of next month, and it is expected that the number will soar to 79,500 and 122,200 by the end of next month. .
In order to minimize damage in a situation where the number of confirmed cases is rapidly increasing, the authorities have decided to transform the quarantine and medical system in a way that concentrates diagnosis and treatment capabilities on those who are vulnerable to infection.
Omicron mutation response measures will be implemented first in four mutation-dominated regions, including Gwangju, Jeonnam, Pyeongtaek, and Anseong, from today.
In these areas, only high-risk groups such as close contacts, epidemiological persons, persons with a doctor’s note that the test is necessary, those who have confirmed positive for rapid antigen test, and those in their 60s or older can perform PCR (gene amplification) tests at screening centers.
In addition, in order to reduce the burden on the quarantine system, the quarantine period for confirmed patients and close contacts will be adjusted and applied from today.
In the case of confirmed cases, the quarantine period for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be reduced by 3 days from 10 days to 7 days. Those who have completed the vaccination are those who received the 3rd dose or 14 days after the 2nd dose and within 90 days. Those who have not been vaccinated are required to self-isolate for 10 days.
Close contacts do not need to self-quarantine if they have been vaccinated. Those in close contact who have not been vaccinated will be quarantined for 7 days.
[방영덕 매경닷컴 기자]
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