<Anchor> The
number of new COVID-19 cases rose to 20,000 again in a month and a half.
As the number of confirmed cases continues to double from a week ago, the government is expected to take measures soon.
This is reporter Jeong Da-eun.
<Reporter> This
is a screening clinic in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul.
[(What's the reason for the test?) My husband has been confirmed.]
Even in the hot weather on holidays, people are coming to get PCR test.
[Song Chang-woon/Nurse at Yangcheon-gu Office Screening Clinic: There are a lot of overseas arrivals, and as family members are confirmed
, the number of close contacts is increasing, so I feel that the number of tests is basically increasing.]
Over 20,000 people.
That's 9,500 more people than last Saturday.
The so-called 'doubling phenomenon', in which the number of confirmed cases doubles from a week ago, has continued for several days.
The number of inbound patients from overseas, which dropped to 10, is also recording triple digits for 16 days in a row.
It is caused by the spread of the BA.5 mutant virus, which is a sub-displacement of Omicron, an increase in travel during the holiday season, and a closed environment due to the use of air conditioners.
Quarantine authorities acknowledge that the coronavirus has returned to the spread phase and plan to announce additional countermeasures on the 13th.
It is expected to include contents such as expanding the target of the fourth vaccine and securing beds in advance.
However, prudence prevails on the issue of reviving social distancing.
[Jung Ki-seok/Chairman of National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee: It is not efficient to re-implement strict social distancing steps at this stage.
The fatality rate and seriousness rate are very low, but it's okay to adjust it so that it does not rise further.]
The advisory committee newly formed according to the new government guidelines will hold its first meeting the day after tomorrow (11th) to discuss these issues.
(Video coverage: No. 1, Video editing: Jo Moo-hwan)