Frequent Cluster Outbreaks Nationwide... 'Silent Spread' Alert for Active Under-40s

Local infections increasing in all cities and provinces except Ulsan
Many cluster outbreaks with dozens of cases
Spread of secondary infections through close contacts also a concern

Increase in year-end gatherings and activities among young and middle-aged adults
"Risk of asymptomatic transmission to the elderly"

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Choi Dae-yeol] The recent trend of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is characterized by frequent sporadic cluster outbreaks across the country. Over the past week, 16 cities and provinces, excluding Ulsan, have consistently reported patients presumed to be infected through community transmission. Considering that Ulsan has also been continuously seeing cases imported from overseas, it essentially means that patients are emerging one after another nationwide. Although there have been almost no large-scale cluster infections involving more than 100 people, the number of outbreak clusters with dozens or fewer patients has increased, and a notable feature is that secondary transmission within each cluster, so-called n-th generation infection, is not being blocked in a timely manner.

245 New Confirmed Cases from Community Transmission
Different Pattern from Shincheonji and Itaewon Club Spread

This differs from the patterns seen during the large outbreaks such as the Shincheonji Church cluster in Daegu, the Guro District call center and Itaewon club outbreaks in Seoul, and the August metropolitan area church and downtown Seoul rallies. During the Shincheonji outbreak, there was almost no information about COVID-19, making it difficult to comply with preventive measures like social distancing and mask-wearing. It is estimated that the virus had already spread widely over 2 to 3 weeks before the first patient was confirmed in mid-February. In the cases of the Guro call center, Bucheon logistics center, and Itaewon club outbreaks, infections spread through specific facilities or locations, and although challenging, epidemiological investigations such as contact tracing were conducted promptly.

When the nationwide spread occurred in August and September triggered by Sarang Jeil Church and downtown rallies, the risk was assessed to be higher than ever before because the infection routes extended nationwide, making it difficult to distinguish patients and contacts and to block transmission chains, complicating quarantine measures. The current phase of the outbreak involves sporadic cluster infections nationwide, and similar to the Shincheonji case, there is a high possibility of 'silent transmission' mainly among young people, which keeps health authorities on high alert.

Kang Do-tae, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said before the meeting, "Until now, most confirmed cases occurred in large numbers in specific spaces or groups, but now small-scale infections are occurring simultaneously in every corner of our society and daily life," adding, "We have now entered a phase where anyone can be infected anytime and anywhere, normalizing the risk of infection."

Proportion of Confirmed Cases Aged 40 and Below
Reached 52.2% from the 8th to 14th of This Month

Silent transmission has been facilitated by young and middle-aged adults aged 40 and below acting as links. As these active age groups increased various gatherings and outdoor activities toward the year-end, infections spread throughout daily life nationwide. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 18th, during weeks when the total number of confirmed cases surged into four digits, the proportion of confirmed cases aged 40 and below was high. Especially from the 8th to the 14th of this month, among 1,054 total confirmed cases, those aged 40 and below accounted for half (52.2%). Since the end of last month, the proportion of confirmed cases aged 40 and below has been gradually increasing from the 40% range.

Vice Director Kwon Jun-wook of the CDCH expressed concern, saying, "Currently, COVID-19 is again in a crisis situation. Silent transmission is occurring mainly among young and middle-aged adults, and if the epidemic spreads to high-risk groups aged 60 and above through them, severe and critical cases will surge, posing another challenge to quarantine efforts." Transmission among young and middle-aged adults tends to be more silent and faster than the spread among high-risk groups aged 60 and above, making it potentially more dangerous.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Preventing asymptomatic transmission among young and middle-aged adults is the top priority," adding, "As year-end gatherings such as year-end parties and family meetings increase among these age groups, opportunities for meals and drinking naturally rise, which could accelerate the spread of infection."

There are also criticisms that the easing of social distancing measures implemented on the 7th contributed to the spread. The prolonged COVID-19 situation has led young people to increase postponed gatherings, and with winter approaching, more activities are taking place in enclosed indoor environments, facilitating infection spread. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the CDCH, said, "As year-end and New Year gatherings increase person-to-person contact, people share meals and drinks, and in enclosed spaces, sharing food and conversations increase infections," urging, "Please refrain from year-end parties and gatherings as much as possible this year-end."

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