[국제]’South African mutation’ confirmed in Japan…US 1.94 million vaccinations

[앵커]

Amid the rapid spread of the corona 19 mutant virus from South Africa, the first case of infection was confirmed in Japan.

In the United States, nearly 2 million people have been vaccinated so far, but there is concern about the further spread of the Christmas holiday shift.

We will discuss the details with reporter Jo Soo-hyun of the International Department. welcome.

Isn’t there any sign of the spread of mutations from South Africa following the mutant virus from the UK?

[기자]

The cumulative number of confirmed cases in South Africa exceeded 1 million.

Looking at the curve of new cases, it has risen noticeably in recent weeks.

At the beginning of this month, there were 3~4,000 people a day.

As it continued to increase steadily, about 14,000 people were confirmed a day for three days from the 23rd to the 25th.

It is analyzed that the effect of the mutant virus is not small in such a steep spread.

The South African government believes that the mutant virus is spreading rapidly in the southeast.

However, it is not yet known exactly what proportion of the mutant virus infection is compared to all confirmed cases.

In South Africa, the spread of Corona 19 in June and July intensified.

It was relatively quiet in autumn, when the second spread in the US and Europe began in earnest.

Then, in December, with the appearance of the mutant virus, it can be said that it has entered the’secondary spread’.

[앵커]

Experts from around the world have been concerned that the second outbreak could be more serious than the first. How is the South African government responding now?

[기자]

The South African government has strengthened quarantine measures in many ways.

Masks were mandated in public places, and the curfew at night was strengthened, and most traffic was banned from 9pm to 6am.

Daily activities are also severely restricted, so let’s listen to the talk of South African President Cyril Lamaposa.

[시릴 라마포사 / 남아공 대통령 : 장례식과 소수의 예외 경우를 제외한 모든 실내외 모임은 29일 0시를 기해 14일 동안 금지됩니다.]

However, it is pointed out that it is already heading to a situation that is difficult to control.

Large hospitals have reached a state of saturation, complaining of lack of medical staff, equipment, and beds.

Earlier, the World Health Organization WHO emphasized the need for international support in relation to the poor health care systems of African countries.

[앵커]

Mutations originating from South Africa are reported one after another in other countries, but it was the first time that it was confirmed in Japan?

[기자]

It was officially announced by the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

A woman in her 30s who has stayed in South Africa has been infected with the mutant virus.

This is the first time a case of mutant infection from South Africa has been confirmed in Japan following a mutant virus from the UK.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga presided over a meeting of the Countermeasures Headquarters and asked the cabinet members to “have a high sense of tension and thoroughly pursue countermeasures,” saying, “There is no year-end and New Year holidays for viruses.”

The Japanese government has banned new foreigners from entering the country until the end of January to prevent further influx of the mutant virus.

In Japan, there were 2,390 new cases yesterday.

As of Monday, where the number of confirmed cases tends to be less than other days due to a decrease in the number of tests on the weekend, it was the highest for 4 consecutive weeks since the last 7 days.

In the meantime, the first case of an incumbent lawmaker who had underlying diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure was infected with Corona 19 and died.

[앵커]

Let’s go ahead and go to America.

It’s been exactly two weeks since vaccination started, how is it going?

[기자]

On the 14th, Pfizer vaccination began first, and on the 21st, Modena vaccine was added.

It is said that it is generally going smoothly.

Some health care workers who received the vaccine had allergic reactions, but this was not a side effect of concern.

The CDC, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, counted that 1.94 million people have been vaccinated so far.

In addition, vaccine distribution was carried out without any problems, and it is estimated that 954 million batches were safely delivered to all over the country.

[앵커]

By the way, is there a big concern about further spread due to the aftermath of the Christmas holiday?

[기자]

Last weekend was the Christmas holiday.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said that on the 27th local time, the last day of the holiday, there were more than 1284,000 people across the country who passed airport checkpoints.

Prior to this, the number of airport users on Saturday 26th was 1.1 million and 616,000 on the 25th.

From the 18th to the 25th, a week before Christmas, the number of airport users nationwide reached 7.8 million.

That’s half the simple comparison from a year ago.

However, it is the highest level since the corona crisis, so further spread is a concern.

In fact, there have been several cases in which the number of new patients has increased significantly over the holiday season in the United States, and the Thanksgiving holiday is a prime example.

So, ahead of the New Year holidays, health authorities and experts have been urging people to refrain from meetings and moving around.

The upcoming New Year holidays are expected to be another turning point.

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