In South Korea, the health authorities announced this Thursday, May 28, 79 new contaminations in 24 hours, the highest figure since April 5. Therefore, the government announced new measures against the virus, just weeks after they were relaxed.
- Thursday May 28, 79 new contaminations were listed in South Korea, the highest figure since April 5.
- Following the appearance of these new cases, “we have decided to strengthen quarantine measures in the metropolitan area” until June 14, announced the Minister of Health.
- Wednesday, May 27, more than two million students returned to class in the country.
At the end of February, South Korea was the second most affected country in the world by the coronavirus pandemic after China. But the government quickly implemented relentless strategies to combat the virus such as automatic screening of the population and contact tracing of those infected. The citizens, for their part, showed great respect for the barrier measures. So much so that the situation was quickly brought under control, without the country going into containment and it was set up as a model in the fight against Covid. Unfortunately, however, the authorities announced this Thursday, May 28, 79 new infections in 24 hours, the highest figure since April 5, bringing the total number of cases recorded in the country to 11,344. Fearing a new epidemic wave, the Ministry of Health announced new measures to fight the coronavirus, just weeks after they were relaxed.
Most of the new cases were listed in the Seoul metropolitan area where an outbreak has been identified. Indeed, according to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), 69 of the new sufferers frequented a warehouse of e-commerce company Coupang in Bucheon on the outskirts of Seoul.
Today, about 4,100 people, employees and visitors to the warehouse, are in voluntary isolation and 80 percent of them have already been tested, said Deputy Health Minister Kim Gang-lip. “We expect the number of warehouse-related cases to continue to climb today as we complete testing,” he continued, lamenting, “It is suspected that ground rules have failed. not been imposed in the warehouse”. “If quarantine rules are not applied in the workplace, it could lead to massive contamination,” he insisted.
“The next two weeks will be crucial”
Following the appearance of these new cases, “we have decided to strengthen quarantine measures in the metropolitan area for two weeks, starting tomorrow until June 14”, announced the Minister of Health Park Neug-hoo. . “The next two weeks will be crucial in preventing the spread of infection in the metropolitan area,” he continued. “We will have to revert to strict social distancing if we fail” and the country registers more than 50 new daily cases for at least seven consecutive days.
Since May 6, South Korea had begun easing restrictions ordered to combat the virus. Museums and churches had reopened and some professional sports had resumed their seasons such as football and baseball, but behind closed doors. From now on, museums, parks and galleries will have to close their doors for two weeks while companies will be encouraged to use telework again, explained the Minister of Health.
Health authorities also recommend that citizens avoid gatherings and crowded places such as bars and restaurants. Places of worship must follow the safety instructions to the letter. On the other hand, the timetable for the current reopening of schools remains the same. On Wednesday May 27, more than two million young people returned to class.
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