[Reporter’s view] Regional infection of COVID-19 has spread

not to be confused with false information

On the 18th, the HIRA turned upside down when news of the first positive COVID-19 patient occurred in Daegu.

 

It was reported that a family of the HIRA’s Daegu branch staff members worked in Daegu Saeronan Hospital, where patient #31 suspected of being a ‘super spreader’ of the spread of community infection in COVID-19, was working.

 

The HIRA, which runs the COVID-19 Countermeasures Team, immediately grasped the facts.

 

Fortunately, the employee's family was not classified as a contact person with patient#31.

 

However, starting with patient#31, as of 9:00AM on the 23rd, The number of COVID-19 confirmed patients increased to 556, with 4 deaths.

 

In particular, at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which had been visited by patient#31, in a situation where mass infected patients occur, it is known that Gangwon-do members who visited Daegu Church from January 29 to February 16 included Wonju citizens The atmosphere in Wonju, Gangwon-do, where the HIRA and the NHIS are located, has became strange.

 

From the morning of the 20th, concerns about spreading of COVID-19 in Wonju and false information ran rampant.

 

I also received false information text mixed with several regards to COVID-19.

 

Among them, the staff of Wonju headquarters of the HIRA is waiting for the test result as suspected COVID-19'.

 

As a result, employee A, who visited Daegu to attend the wedding ceremony of the HIRA’s employee on the 15th, was diagnosed and screened at the clinic for self-isolation.

 

The employee had a fever from two weeks before his visit to Daegu, but after his wedding visit (but not the Queen Vell Hotel visited by patient#31), his symptoms worsened.

 

He received two medical examinations at a medical clinic in Wonju innovative city and was examined at a screening clinic by doctor’s recommendation.

 

The COVID-19 countermeasures team of the auditor evaluation was aware of the fact on the 20th, and took not only the employee but also all the employees who had close contact with the employee from February 15th to 20th home.

 

In the process, the COVID-19 suspicious symptoms were made public, and in the process of spreading this information, various false information appeared.

 

The government raised its alert level for COVID-19 to the highest level as the number of confirmed patients with COVID-19 has increased rapidly.

 

The severity level is the highest level of wealth and is triggered when foreign infectious diseases introduced in Korea spread to the community or spread nationwide.

 

False information and indiscriminate fears are one of the things to watch out for in a national disaster.

 

It is also important for the government to come up with strong countermeasures against unproven information or fake news, but citizens must also take care not to engage in or mislead in disseminating false information.

 

COVID-19 has no vaccine or cure at ths time.

 

If you develop fever or respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, etc.), you should contact the KCDC call center (1339) or the Public Health Center.

 

If you want to see a doctor for suspected symptoms, you should first visit your local screening clinic (check the KCDC or the MOHW).

 

For now, don't forget that personal hygiene, masking, and compliance with infection prevention rules are the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 nationwide.