Concerns Over Cluster Infections... Is 'Social Distancing in Daily Life' Okay as It Is?

Itaewon Club COVID-19 Cluster Outbreak Alert
Government to Continue 'Social Distancing in Daily Life' for Now
Experts: "Community Transmission Possible Even Without Confirmed Cases... Social Distancing Must Be Strengthened"

On the 6th, citizens wearing masks are moving to board the train at Sindorim Station on Subway Line 1 in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seunggon Han, Intern Reporter Joohee Kang] "'Is it really safe with just 'everyday social distancing'?"

As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation stabilizes, the government decided to end 'social distancing' and transition to 'everyday social distancing' starting from the 6th.

However, with the number of confirmed cases rising again due to the Itaewon club cluster infection, there are calls to strengthen the quarantine system once more. Experts suggest that even if no new confirmed cases occur, stringent social distancing measures should continue.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 11th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to the Itaewon clubs was confirmed to be 86. Seoul accounted for 51 cases, Gyeonggi 21, Incheon 7, Chungbuk 5, Busan 1, and Jeju 1, respectively.

Given this situation, some argue that the 'everyday social distancing' started on the 6th should be reverted back to high-intensity 'social distancing.'

Voices calling for discussion on this matter have also emerged in the political sphere. The United Future Party expressed concerns on the 9th that the Itaewon club cluster infection could spread nationwide and stated that a reconsideration of 'everyday social distancing' is necessary.

Kim Seong-won, spokesperson for the United Future Party, said in a statement, "Looking back, there are many similarities to the situation in February. Before the 31st confirmed case appeared in Daegu, there were no confirmed cases for four days, and on February 13, President Moon Jae-in said it would 'soon be over.'" "In this relaxed situation, the 31st confirmed case, whose infection route was unknown, appeared on February 18, leading to large-scale regional infections starting from Daegu and Gyeongbuk," he explained.

He added, "To avoid repeating the mistakes of that time, we must prepare for any possible situations," emphasizing, "We need to reconsider whether uniform everyday social distancing without considering risk differences is appropriate."

The five key personal quarantine rules for 'Everyday Social Distancing' announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 22nd / Photo by Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters

As the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases rapidly increases, citizens are also expressing concerns about the spread of the infectious disease.

A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, said, "Coincidentally, right after transitioning from social distancing to everyday social distancing, this cluster infection occurred again," adding, "Since the quarantine measures have become more relaxed, people's vigilance seems to be weakening. Even if the number of confirmed cases decreases, if distancing is not properly implemented and people become complacent, cluster infections can happen anytime."

He continued, "Since the transition to everyday social distancing, I have noticed more people not wearing masks. Gatherings have resumed, exercise has resumed, and people are thinking and acting as if it is before COVID-19. The purpose of distancing seems to have been lost," expressing concern.

Meanwhile, the government maintains its stance to continue the 'everyday social distancing' quarantine system despite the Itaewon club cluster infection.

Park Neung-hoo, 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 10th, "Regarding the Itaewon club case, it is expected that confirmed cases will continue to increase for the time being, but the everyday social distancing system will be maintained."

He added, "The decision on whether to revert to social distancing will be made by evaluating risk comprehensively based on indicators such as the average number of new daily cases, the proportion of cases with unknown infection routes, and the number and scale of cluster outbreaks, as previously announced," and "If the spread of infection exceeds the capacity of our medical system during this process, we can return to social distancing at any time."

Experts suggest that even if no confirmed cases occur, strong social distancing should continue because community infections can still happen.

Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 11th and said, "This incident means that asymptomatic or hidden infected individuals can continue to appear in the community," explaining, "(The number of confirmed cases) is not what's important; the fact that this incident occurred and that community infections can continue is significant. The COVID-19 measures transitioning to 'everyday social distancing' imply that infections in close-contact facilities can occur in multiple places."

He continued, "This incident is similar to the Shincheonji cluster infection situation. However, this incident does not involve people belonging to a specific group like Shincheonji," and added, "While the entire list was available for Shincheonji, it is difficult to verify the list in this case, which is quite concerning."

He emphasized again, "If cluster outbreaks occur in succession, community infections will begin in earnest. Without returning to social distancing, it will be impossible to prevent community spread."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.