Health officials announced that the government will no longer operate its Incheon treatment center used for foreigners undergoing Covid-19 quarantine from Nov. 30. The government will halt admission at the facility from Nov. 23.
The government explained that this is because the number of foreigners using the facility has significantly decreased as quarantine measures for inbound travelers have been eased.
Instead of the treatment center, each local government will provide information on facilities where foreigners can undergo quarantine.
Health officials stressed that if such a facility is required in the future, it will use spare facilities of local governments.
Meanwhile, the government is putting all of its effort to increase the vaccination rate for the elderly and others vulnerable to Covid-19 infection.
“As the winter resurgence is in full swing, it is necessary to make preparations,” Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Park Min-soo said. “Prevention of Covid-19 infection and vaccination to stop the disease from progressing is more important than ever.”
According to the quarantine authorities, 86.8 and 95.1 percent of the recent severe cases and deaths came from those over 60, while 21.3 percent of the recent deaths came from those in nursing homes, respectively.
Despite the grim figures, the booster vaccination rate for those over 60 and those admitted at high-risk facilities, such as nursing hospitals and facilities, were only 10.5 and 7.7 percent.
In response, the Covid-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team strongly recommended vaccination for those living in facilities vulnerable to infection, such as nursing hospitals and facilities.
To increase the vaccination rate, the promotion team will set up a proxy reservation window for the elderly at welfare centers and provide on-site vaccination for those even without prior reservations.
“The best way to stay healthy this winter is to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Park said. “The elderly who are vulnerable to infection and those with underlying diseases should be vaccinated.”
On Friday, Korea added 54,519 new Covid-19 infections, including 49 cases from abroad, bringing the total caseload to 26,091,539, according to the KDCA.
The nation also reported 49 more Covid-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 29,571. The fatality rate stood at 0.11 percent. The number of critically ill patients came to 345, down 22 from the previous day.
According to the KDCA, about 44.69 million among 52 million Koreans have been fully vaccinated. In addition, about 33.67 million people had received their first booster shots, and 7.56 million had their second booster shots.