Possibility of Metropolitan Area Level 1.5 in Two Weeks

Cheonan·Asan Followed by Wonju at Level 1.5

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, the possibility of raising the social distancing level to 1.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area within 2 to 3 weeks has increased.

On the 10th, Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, hinted at the possibility of raising the level during his opening remarks at the CDSCH meeting, stating, "The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to hover around 100."

Kang, the 1st General Coordinator, said, "If diagnosis is delayed and contacts within the community accumulate, it becomes difficult for quarantine authorities to trace and block infections, which could lead to further spread. If you have symptoms such as fever, please get tested promptly at screening clinics, and we once again urge everyone to strictly follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks."

On the same day, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division of the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said during a COVID-19 situation briefing, "If the number of confirmed cases gradually increases and continues to rise as it is now, we judge that there is a risk of raising the social distancing level in 2 to 3 weeks."

From the 11th to the 17th of last month, the daily average number of domestic confirmed cases was only 62.1, but from the 1st to the 7th of this month, it jumped sharply to 88.7. Usually, the number of COVID-19 tests increases significantly on weekends, and the triple-digit confirmed cases recorded last weekend have raised concerns. Previously, Cheonan and Asan cities in Chungnam province raised their social distancing level to 1.5 as a preemptive measure, and Wonju city in Gangwon province also raised it to 1.5 starting today due to a surge in confirmed cases.

According to the CDSCH, the number of new domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases confirmed on this day was 100, continuing triple digits for the third consecutive day following yesterday's 126 cases. Among them, 71 cases are presumed to be domestic community infections, and 29 are imported cases. By region, the Seoul metropolitan area recorded 53 cases: Seoul 32, Gyeonggi 18, and Incheon 3. Outside the metropolitan area, Gwangju and Chungnam each had 4 cases, Gangwon 3, Gyeongnam 2, Jeonnam 2, Busan 1, Daegu 1, and Chungbuk 1.

The number of locally transmitted confirmed cases was 71, down from 99 the previous day, but sporadic infections continue not only in the metropolitan area but also in non-metropolitan areas such as Gwangju, Chungnam, and Gangwon. The number of imported confirmed cases was 29, similar to 27 the day before.

As of this day, there are 54 critically ill patients, and with 5 deaths reported the previous day, the cumulative death toll reached 485. The total number of confirmed cases in the country increased to 27,653. With 131 patients released from isolation the previous day, the number of patients currently undergoing isolation treatment is 2,008.

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