COVID-19 Prevention 'Critical Alert'... New Cases Near 200

Fines for Not Wearing Masks Start Today

On the 13th, when mandatory mask-wearing began in multi-use facilities such as public transportation, medical institutions, entertainment bars, and general restaurants, Seoul Metro officials were conducting a mask-wearing campaign at Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5 in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Moon Chae-seok] The number of new domestic cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea has risen to around 200 per day. This is the highest since early September, following cluster infections originating from metropolitan area churches and downtown Seoul rallies. The government has begun detailed reviews with a focus on raising the social distancing level. This comes just one week after the social distancing system was reorganized and newly applied.

As of midnight on the 13th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters reported 191 new COVID-19 cases domestically. Of these, 162 are presumed to be locally transmitted, and 29 are imported cases. This is the largest daily number of new cases since September 4th (198 cases). There are 113 locally transmitted cases in the Seoul metropolitan area alone, and including imported cases, the total reaches 125. Two out of every three new cases nationwide were from the metropolitan area.

New cases have been reported in 11 regions including the metropolitan area, exceeding 10 regions for six consecutive days. Until last week, cases were concentrated in the metropolitan area, but infections are now spreading nationwide.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 13th.

The health authorities are also considering raising the current Level 1 social distancing to Level 1.5. Currently, some local governments such as Cheonan and Asan in Chungnam Province have independently raised their social distancing to Level 1.5, but the central government believes it is necessary to raise the level nationwide to increase awareness. The government is also concerned about the virus spreading more easily due to colder weather increasing indoor activities and more gatherings toward the year-end.

With cluster infections spreading nationwide and an increase in imported cases due to resurgences abroad in countries like the United States and Europe, the health authorities believe proactive measures are necessary. Although managing imported cases within the quarantine system is relatively manageable, the burden on quarantine and medical systems remains significant, so there is no room for complacency.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said before the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the same day, "If the current upward trend continues, we may have to seriously consider raising the social distancing level," adding, "This is a precarious situation where we must not let our guard down or lose vigilance even for a moment."

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