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Today (4th), the number of new corona cases is expected to be around 3,000, so the spread is fading. However, as of yesterday, the number of infected with Omicron exceeded 1,300, and the death from Omicron was also reported for the first time. The quarantine authorities have decided to rework their quarantine strategy in preparation for the spread of Omicron.



Reporter Park Soo-jin.



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It is a nursing hospital in Gwangju.



It is a hospital mainly for elderly patients in their 80s and 90s.



After an employee was first infected on the 24th of last month, 21 patients and workers were infected, and two patients in their 90s died.



The first patient died on the 27th of last month, the day after the diagnosis, and Omicron infection was confirmed three days after the death.



Another patient also died on the 29th after being confirmed on the 25th of last month, and we are currently analyzing the infection as a suspected case of Omicron.



Both had completed the second dose, but did not receive the third dose.



[Park Young-joon/Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters Epidemiological Investigation Team Leader: It is believed that these factors may have had a significant impact on people with underlying diseases and high age. I see it.]



Last week, the detection rate of Omicron increased by 5.1%p from the previous week to 8.8%.



The quarantine authorities started reorganizing the quarantine system, believing that Omicron will become the dominant species this month or at the latest next month.



The priority is to speed up the diagnostic test, and a plan to use a rapid antigen test that can be diagnosed within an hour or two together with the basic PCR test is being discussed.



[Lee Sang-won / Head of Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team, Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters: I am thinking that the range of antigen test can be used a little wider.

If you become positive through the antigen is that more receive a PCR test, or unless you can confirm the disease whether through the other auxiliary means (is reviewing the plan.)



In case the confirmed characters soaring Senator neighborhood also call the corona patients A plan to make this possible is also being considered.