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Recently, there are noticeably more corona patients coming from overseas. About 90% of these people are infected with Omicron, so I am more concerned. In this situation, the distance is extended again, but you can meet up to 4 people until today (16th) and 6 people from tomorrow.



Reporter Jeong Seong-jin reports.



<Reporter> The



number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases is 4,194.



It decreased by more than 200 people from the day before, but increased by more than 800 people from a week ago when it was around 3,000.



It has been on the decline since the beginning of this month, dropping to the 3,000 level, and has been staying at the 4,000 level for the last five days.



In particular, the number of imported patients from overseas is the third highest in history, but I am concerned that the number has recently been maintained at around 400.



This is because the detection rate of Omicron in overseas patients is close to 90%.



The government plans to minimize the quarantine exemption for overseas travelers to block the spread in Korea.



[Kim Ki-Nam / Head of Vaccination Management Team, Vaccination Promotion Team (last 13 days): Recently, the proportion of foreign confirmed cases has been increasing for two weeks in a row. (Omicron) The detection rate in Korea is also on the rise, so the government is taking measures to strengthen the management of overseas inflows.]



Fortunately, the number of critically ill patients is stable.



It fell from 1,000 at the beginning of this month to 600 for three days in a row, and the utilization rate of critically ill beds is also maintaining the 30% range.



The number of private gatherings for three weeks from tomorrow will increase from 4 to 6, but the business hours of restaurants and cafes will remain until 9 pm. If the situation improves, further easing is open.



[Son Young-rae/Chief of Social Strategy Team at Central Accident Resolving Headquarters (last 14 days): Considering the critically ill patients and the medical system's capacity as the most important consideration, if the situation is stable, after that, you can consider further easing the distance.]



Ultimately, the key is how well you respond to the omicron mutation that will become the dominant species within a week or two.



Before the end of this month, the government plans to prepare countermeasures such as expanding quarantine and medical infrastructure in preparation for an explosion in the number of confirmed cases, and implementing special quarantine measures for the Lunar New Year holiday from the 20th.



(Video editing: Jeon Min-gyu)