<Anchor> The
number of new COVID-19 cases reached 16,000, recording 10,000 for two days in a row.
The government announced that it would introduce and promote a 'Fast Track' system that would allow high-risk groups, such as the elderly, to receive tests, treatment, and prescriptions within one day.
This is Yoo Seung-hyun, a medical reporter.
<Reporter>
There were 16,584 new cases of COVID-19.
As of Friday's announcement, it fell to the 10,000 level again for the first time in 17 weeks since January 28.
The number of patients with severe severe cases was 207, 36 fewer than yesterday, and the ninth day was 200 people.
The death toll stood at 40, an increase of six from the previous day.
Prime Minister Han Deok-soo presided over a major COVID-19 meeting for the first time since his inauguration.
Although there is a clear decline for the second month, he said he is still not relieved, and he said that high-risk groups such as the elderly in their 60s and older will be tested, treated, and prescribed in one day.
If necessary, the high-risk group can be admitted to a dedicated hospital immediately.
He also announced that he would build a 'big data platform' so that he could effectively utilize his experience so far.
[Han Deok-soo/Prime Minister: We will systematically link and integrate information scattered across various institutions to create the basis for scientific evidence-based quarantine and help related research and health industry development.]
The construction of a central hospital specializing in infectious diseases to respond stably to infectious diseases is also expected to accelerate.
The government announced that the construction would be completed by 2027 using the site of the US Engineers Corps in Bangsan-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.