COVID-19 Cases Remain in the 300s for Second Day Amid 'Third Wave Crossroads'... Practically Pleading for Level 2 Restrictions

On the First Day of Level 1.5, 343 New Confirmed Cases... "Please Strengthen Home Care and Other Measures"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] On the 19th, as the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) reached 343, marking the second consecutive day in the 300s, the quarantine authorities urged social distancing measures equivalent to level 2 in practice.

Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCHQ), stated, "The daily number of confirmed cases has risen again to the 300s for the first time in three months since the end of August," adding, "We should designate the next two weeks as an intensive quarantine period and our entire society must respond with full force."

As the number of confirmed cases on this day reached the highest figure in 83 days since August 28 (371 cases), raising concerns about a possible third wave, the quarantine authorities appear to have heightened their response level. Park emphasized, "December 3 is the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). We must unite our efforts to practice quarantine measures so that students can focus on the exam in a safe environment," appealing for thorough non-face-to-face practices over the next two weeks.

Although social distancing was raised to level 1.5 from midnight in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and other areas, the upward trend in confirmed cases did not subside, prompting a call for social distancing measures effectively equivalent to level 2.

Park said, "Please refrain entirely from gatherings and drinking, and public institutions and private companies should avoid face-to-face meetings and business trips during this period, making maximum use of telecommuting and flexible working hours." Some companies have also begun telecommuting out of concern for the spread of COVID-19, showing signs of a strong social distancing resurgence.

Meanwhile, as of midnight on this day, the number of locally transmitted confirmed cases in the country was 293, an increase of 48 from the previous day (245), marking the third consecutive day in the 200s. The number of locally transmitted cases is the highest in 82 days since September 29 (308 cases) and has maintained triple digits for nine consecutive days since the 11th (113 cases).

By region, the Seoul metropolitan area accounted for 177 cases, including 107 in Seoul, 59 in Gyeonggi, and 11 in Incheon, representing 60.4% of the locally transmitted cases. The spread in the densely populated metropolitan area is steep. The number of locally transmitted cases in the metropolitan area, which was 113 on the 13th, gradually increased to 177 on this day, with a weekly daily average of 138.3 cases.

On this day, 116 confirmed cases were reported outside the metropolitan area, surpassing 100 for the first time since August 27 (121 cases). Imported cases also numbered 50, down from 68 the previous day but still on an upward trend.

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