The number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached 4,116, surpassing the record high of 4,000.

In addition, in the weekly risk assessment of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19, COVID-19) in the 3rd week of November (14-20), the metropolitan area appeared to have the highest 'very high' among the five levels (very low-low-medium-high-high-very high). ' The government said that the main causes were the increase in the number of new critically ill patients and deaths, and the saturation of the operation of the intensive care unit.

The Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters announced the results of the weekly risk assessment for the 3rd week of November through a regular briefing on the 22nd. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters) said, “As a result of a comprehensive weekly risk assessment through the risk assessment of the quarantine and the advice of the Quarantine and Medical Subcommittee, the national level was ‘high’, the metropolitan area ‘very high’, and the non-metropolitan area rated the risk as 'medium'."

In the risk assessment of the 2nd week of November, just a week ago, the national level was ‘low’, the metropolitan area ‘medium’, and the non-metropolitan area ‘very low’. Within one week, the risk increased significantly by two steps.

The deterioration of key indicators is cited as the main factor here. Commissioner Jeong said, “The average bed utilization rate in the intensive care unit was 62.6% for the third week of November, and the condition of the beds deteriorated rapidly to 77% in the metropolitan area. As it continues to decline, the risk of infection exposure in the community is increasing.”

In addition, the number of new severe cases and deaths increased. The number of new daily critically ill patients is exceeding the 500 level, the limit that the government can stably manage. The number of deaths has also increased to more than 20 per day in the past week.

In this situation, infectious disease experts are concerned about the collapse of the medical system and are ordering that social distancing be strengthened again. On the other hand, the self-employed, whose sales are increasing due to Corona, are insisting on maintaining the current situation, so the government's judgment is noteworthy.

Reporter Song Hasung