COVID-19 Spreading Again in Daily Life... "Reviewing Adjustment of Social Distancing Levels" (Comprehensive)

COVID-19 Cases Reported Across Seoul Metropolitan Area and Local Communities
Infections Spread in Everyday Spaces Like Saunas, Cafes, and Academies
Health Authorities Review the Need to Adjust Social Distancing Levels

On the 14th, the area in front of the screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, is crowded. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] As the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days, the quarantine authorities announced that they will consider the need to adjust the social distancing level.

Im Suk-young, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) situation management team, said at a briefing on the 14th, "With the newly revised distancing criteria applied, various auxiliary indicators such as the proportion of patients aged 60 and over and the management rate within the quarantine network are being utilized in addition to the number of confirmed cases." He added, "If the current trend continues, some regions may raise the social distancing level, so we plan to strengthen quarantine measures aiming to suppress the daily number of confirmed cases to the level of stage 1." Although they will not immediately raise the social distancing level, this is interpreted as a policy to prepare various preemptive responses, including reviewing the adjustment. Since August, the daily average number of new domestic confirmed cases had fallen below 100, but this week it surged to 122.4.

Im said, "In areas such as the metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, the adjustment of the distancing level is imminent or the current criteria are already exceeded," and explained, "Ultimately, the local governments, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, and related ministries will consult to raise the distancing level." He also urged, "I ask the public once again to join forces to prevent the re-spread of COVID-19."

Meanwhile, confirmed cases occurred nationwide again on this day. Cluster outbreaks continue in places closely related to daily life, such as hospitals and nursing facilities vulnerable to infection, as well as saunas, cafes, academies, and small gatherings.

The CDCH announced that as of 12 noon on this day, a total of 10 people were confirmed positive related to a hospital located in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and the exact source and route of infection are currently being investigated. Since the first confirmed case (index patient) was found on the 12th, nine more cases have been added in two days. Among the total 10 cases, four are colleagues and six are family members or acquaintances.

At a sauna facility in Gangseo-gu, after the first confirmed case on the 7th, eight additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing. The total of nine confirmed cases include users, workers, and family members.

In Nowon-gu, a cluster outbreak related to home care services was confirmed. After the first confirmed case on the 10th, nine more tested positive during contact tracing. Among the total 10 confirmed cases, nine are service users and their families.

Regarding the Ace Hope Care Center in Dongdaemun-gu, six people in quarantine also tested positive additionally. So far, a total of 59 people including users, workers, visitors, family members, and acquaintances have been confirmed positive. Related to a cafe in Dongjak-gu, seven additional infections were confirmed after the 12th, increasing the total confirmed cases to 16.

At a private academy in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, 10 more people in quarantine tested positive after the 10th of this month. Currently, a total of 22 people are undergoing treatment.

In addition, new confirmed cases have surged in Gangwon, Chungnam, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam provinces. Community infections are spreading in places such as a gathering of acquaintances in Inje-gun, Gangwon (9 cases), a call center in Cheonan, Chungnam (1 case), a company in Gwangyang-si, Jeonnam (5 cases), a bank in Suncheon-si, Jeonnam (2 cases), and a couple in Sacheon, Gyeongnam (3 cases).

Meanwhile, the proportion of patients with 'unknown infection routes' remained at the 13% level. Among the 1,827 new confirmed cases reported this month up to this day, 13.4% (244 cases) are still under investigation for infection routes, slightly down from 13.7% the previous day.

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