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In the new year, the number of COVID-19 patients in Jeju has been on the decline.

Last week, the average number of daily confirmed patients fell into the single digits, and the basic reproduction number decreased.

However, as the infectious route of one out of every 10 confirmed cases has not been identified, anxiety is still lingering.

Joseph Kim reports.

Report

In the past week, the average number of daily COVID-19 patients fell into the single digits.

Compared to the middle of last month, when mass infections spread with double-digit confirmed cases a day over a week, the number dropped significantly.

The Infectious Reproduction Index, which shows how many people are infected by a confirmed case, fell below 1 as of the 27th of last month, it’s been in the zero range for more than 10 days.

The closer it is to zero, with fewer additional infections from confirmed cases, it can be interpreted as a sign of stability.



The quarantine authorities analysed that the high-intensity social distancing that has been continuing since last month is working.


But it’s too early to feel relieved.

Since there are still risk factors of patients who can’t find the route of infection.


1 out of every 10 confirmed cases are unable to trace the source of their infection.


Furthermore, as a series of violations of the ‘No Gathering’ policy have been uncovered, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of further spread from asymptomatic confirmed patients.


With the high-intensity social distancing measure extended until the 17th, it is becoming a major challenge to maintain stability like the recent trend, which will determine the success or failure of the safety measures.

Joseph Kim, KCTV.