<Anchor> The



number of new COVID-19 cases reached 6,769, recording the 6,000 level for two days in a row. With the recent rapid increase in patients due to the spread of Omicron, the government has decided to change the testing and treatment system in Omicron-dominated areas, and lower the age for prescribing oral medications.



This is a report by reporter Kim Deok-hyun.



<Reporter>



Yesterday (20th), there were 6,769 new confirmed cases of Corona 19, recording the 6,000 level for two days in a row.



There were 6,482 cases in Korea and 287 cases imported from abroad.



As Omicron spreads rapidly, the number of confirmed cases is close to 7,000, which the government announced as the standard for transitioning to the medical response stage.



[Lee Ki-il / Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters First Controller: For a period of 1-2 weeks, Omicron is thinking of replacing Delta. It will probably convert by 80-90%. The current testing and medical system has significant limitations in responding to quarantine.]



First, the government plans to introduce a new testing and treatment system in Omicron's dominant areas to block the spread.



Gwangju, Jeonnam, Pyeongtaek, and Anseong, where the detection rate of Omicron has risen to 80%, is targeted.



If you are not in high-risk groups such as the elderly over 60 years of age or close contacts, you can undergo PCR testing if positive in the self-test kit or rapid antigen test first.



If you have symptoms, you can undergo rapid antigen testing after receiving treatment at 43 respiratory clinics in 4 regions.



The negative confirmation certificate for confirming the quarantine pass can also be done with a self-test kit or rapid antigen test, but the validity period is shortened to 24 hours.



In addition, the self-quarantine period will be reduced from the current 10 days to 7 days.



In addition, the government is planning to increase the dosage by lowering the age for prescribing oral medicines from 65 years old or older to 60 years old or older.



The number of severe cases of gastritis decreased by 57 from the previous day, resulting in 431 cases.



The death toll rose by 21, so far, 6,501 people have lost their lives to COVID-19.