"Prevented a Major Outbreak but Under 100 Cases"...Possibility of Extending Social Distancing Level 2.5 (Comprehensive)

Confirmed Cases and Healthcare System Still Under Strain... Weight on Extending Social Distancing Level 2.5
Unreported Patient Numbers Continue to Rise, Cannot Ignore Self-Employed Damage

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Cho Hyun-ui] The enhanced quarantine measures, which are stricter than the Level 2 social distancing, will end on the 6th. The government is deeply considering whether to extend them. Compared to late last month when the daily number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 was in the 300-400 range, the spread has somewhat subsided.

However, considering that Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated that "reducing the number to below 100 is the ultimate goal," and that the current number of confirmed cases still places a burden on the quarantine and medical systems, the possibility of an additional extension of the 'Level 2.5 distancing' cannot be ruled out.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 3rd, the number of new cases was 195, falling below 200 for the first time in 17 days since the 17th of last month. Initially, experts and quarantine authorities predicted that if the spread was not controlled within this week, the number of new cases could reach up to 2,000 per day. The situation has not yet escalated to this 'worst-case scenario.'

However, the fact that the number of new confirmed cases remains in the triple digits itself indicates ongoing risk, so the quarantine authorities are cautious about premature optimism. The burden of epidemiological investigations at the frontline has been increasing for several weeks, and the medical system for patient treatment is also reaching its limits. Before the meeting on this day, Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "The explosive spread we feared has somewhat subsided, but triple-digit confirmed cases continue to occur," adding, "For over two weeks, more than 200 confirmed cases have been reported daily, threatening the quarantine and medical systems."

On the 3rd, as social distancing continues due to the resurgence of COVID-19, citizens waiting to be tested are lined up at a screening clinic set up at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Level 2.5 Distancing, Temporary Measure Until the 6th
Extension Review Based on Occurrence Status and Epidemic Trends

The government has also begun reviewing whether to adjust the 'Level 2.5 distancing' scheduled until this weekend. Typically, the effects of distancing measures appear with a lag of about 1-2 weeks. Since last weekend, the Seoul metropolitan area has applied stronger quarantine measures to certain facilities such as restaurants and cafes, beyond the existing Level 2 distancing. The decision on whether to extend the current Level 2.5 distancing measures is expected to be made by assessing the domestic situation by this weekend.

Although the number of new confirmed cases has dropped to the 100s after about two weeks, indicators still show an ongoing epidemic pattern. The average daily number of new confirmed cases over the past two weeks exceeds 300, and even in the last week alone, it reached 277. Considering that the quarantine authorities set one of the Level 2 distancing criteria as daily new confirmed cases between 50 and 100, the current level still far exceeds this. While there has been a downward trend compared to last week, it does not mean the dangerous situation has been resolved.

On the 3rd, a mask-shaped cover was placed on the 'I·SEOUL·U' promotional sculpture installed at Seoul Plaza as part of a campaign to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The number of patients with unknown infection routes has exceeded 1,000 in the past two weeks, accounting for a quarter of all new confirmed cases. Additionally, tracking and managing potential infections from large-scale groups such as churches in the metropolitan area or the Liberation Day rallies last month have not yet been completed. New cluster outbreaks with unidentified infection links continue to occur in various places.

In particular, recent major cluster outbreaks involve patients aged 60 and over accounting for more than 40%, increasing the burden on medical staff compared to previous waves. Combined with the shortage of doctors due to collective strikes by residents, if the current spread is not firmly controlled, there remains a concern that the medical system could collapse.

The quarantine authorities' stance is to finely adjust the distancing level based on epidemic trends, but easing the measures itself could send a wrong signal and lead to complacency, which supports extending the current stage. However, the government is also concerned about the increasing damage to the local economy, including small business owners and self-employed individuals, caused by the Level 2.5 quarantine measures.

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