Government: "COVID-19 decline is real... Considering social distancing and a third approach"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Regular Briefing
"Decision on Adjusting the Capital Region to Level 2.5 Over the Weekend"

Yoon Tae-ho, Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' Quarantine General Division

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government announced on the 11th that it believes the trend of new coronavirus infections (COVID-19) is currently on the decline. Although the number of newly confirmed cases identified on this day slightly increased, this is largely attributed to the characteristics of the virus and does not indicate that the spread is expanding. The adjustment of social distancing levels will be decided after monitoring the situation until the upcoming weekend.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, stated at a briefing, "Overall, we judge that the trend is currently decreasing," adding, "However, even though it is a decreasing trend, rather than continuously declining every day, there tends to be a pattern where cases decrease, then temporarily increase for a few days, and then decrease again."

A similar pattern was observed during the outbreak in Daegu and Gyeongbuk last March, and considering asymptomatic and incubation periods, it is accurate to say that the recent situation is on a downward trend. He also added that there are many patients within the management network whose infections were confirmed late after being quarantined due to contact with existing confirmed cases.

Regarding the enhanced social distancing measures (Level 2.5) in the metropolitan area, which are set to end on the 13th, the government stated that it is considering not only a binary choice between extension or easing but also ways to supplement the existing measures. Yoon said, "Regarding the decision on the enhanced social distancing measures, we discussed at today's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting whether to extend, discontinue, or implement a third option for more effective distancing measures."

The government plans to reach a conclusion over the weekend after reviewing the domestic situation and expert opinions. Regarding the third option, Yoon explained that although nothing specific has been decided yet, "We are also reviewing ways to maximize the quarantine effect at (medium-risk facilities) while minimizing inconvenience."

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