With the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Korea soaring to the 7,000 level for the first time today (8th) and the number of severe cases exceeding 800, the government said that it is the key to curb the increase in cases of severe cases within the next 1-2 weeks.



Sohn Young-rae, head of the social strategy division of the Central Accident Resolving Headquarters (heavy water version), emphasized at a regular briefing today to respond to COVID-19, "I think it is important to maintain or reduce the current number of critically ill cases within one to two weeks."



Director Sohn said, "Assuming that the aggravation rate is about 1.6%, the number of beds for critically ill patients has increased about three times compared to December last year, and the number of beds in infectious disease hospitals has also been increased by three times. It has risen to around ~2.5%, and the intensive care unit operation rate is significantly increasing,” he said.



As the aggravation rate exceeded the government's expectations, it was admitted that the capacity for hospital beds was being exhausted faster than expected.



Director Sohn said, “We are expanding the intensive care unit as quickly as possible, but there are limitations such as the allocation of medical personnel. We will continue to push ahead with the planned expansion of hospital beds.”



The government reaffirmed its position that it will maintain the existing policy of continuing face-to-face classes as much as possible despite the spread of COVID-19.



In response to a related question, Principal Sohn replied, "A number of comments have been raised that it is important for schools to routinely continue face-to-face classes until the very last minute. .



He said, "I hope that the school will be switched to non-face-to-face classes again so that students can continue to open schools so that they do not miss out on various learning values ​​or opportunities to develop character. We are taking various measures, such as encouraging and expanding the quarantine pass,” he added.



Recently, as the nationwide spread has intensified, it has been shown that the movement volume has been on a downward trend for two weeks in a row.



From the 29th of last month to the 5th of this month, the nationwide mobile phone movement amounted to 233.7 million, 4.1% (11.11 million) from the previous week (22-28 November) (243.9 million). case) decreased.



The weekly movement in the metropolitan area decreased by 3.3% (4.27 million cases) and 5.1% (9.42 million) in the non-metropolitan area compared to the previous week, and the decrease was even greater than in the previous week (0.9% in the metropolitan area, 3.0% in the non-metropolitan area).