Effectively Stage 2... 46% of Citizens Say "Infection Is a Matter of Luck"

9% Point Increase Compared to 6 Months Ago
"Efforts Undermined by Pandemic Fatigue"
Rapid Spread... Concerns Over Hospital Bed Shortage

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Choi Dae-yeol] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surge, major institutions and companies are strengthening work-from-home measures, effectively applying quarantine measures equivalent to level 2.

Although Seoul, Gyeonggi, and other areas entered social distancing level 1.5 starting from the 19th, the recent sharp increase in COVID-19 cases is rapidly meeting the criteria for upgrading to level 2. To escalate to level 2, either sustained level 1.5 outbreaks must occur in two or more regions, or nationwide confirmed cases must exceed 300. With cases already surging in the metropolitan area, Gangwon, as well as Gyeongnam and Jeonnam regions, the need for preemptive response is growing.

The quarantine authorities plan to thoroughly transition to a non-face-to-face society over the next two weeks starting today with the elevation to level 1.5, focusing all efforts on quarantine measures to prevent escalation to level 2 as much as possible. Silent transmission is spreading mainly among the highly active young and middle-aged groups, and with overall social awareness of quarantine loosening ahead of the year-end, there is a growing sense of crisis that the quarantine measures must be tightened again.

Major institutions and companies currently recommend expanding work-from-home to about one-third capacity at level 1.5, but some are expanding flexible work arrangements and minimizing office attendance in preparation for a possible upgrade to level 2.

Loosened Quarantine Awareness Triggers Third Wave
Fate-based Beliefs Spread Among Young and Middle-aged Groups

Recent COVID-19 spread is attributed to loosened quarantine awareness among younger generations. As the COVID-19 situation prolongs, fatigue from increased quarantine rules such as social distancing and mask-wearing has surpassed a critical threshold.

According to a COVID-19 perception survey released today by the research team led by Professor Yoo Myung-soon of Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health, the belief that COVID-19 infection is a matter of fate has increased among young and middle-aged groups over the past six months. For the statement "Whether I get infected or not is somewhat a matter of luck," 46.1% responded affirmatively, nearly 9 percentage points higher than the 37.5% recorded in the same survey six months ago. Similarly, 46.8% agreed with the statement "What will happen is bound to happen," showing a similar increase over the same period. This contrasts with less than 40% agreement among those aged 50 and above.

Despite evidence that the spread of novel infectious diseases varies greatly depending on how members of a society respond in the absence of treatments or vaccines, the spread of fatalistic beliefs mainly among young and middle-aged groups is interpreted as a weakening willingness to adhere to quarantine rules. On this day, Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "Recently, it is not uncommon to see scenes in restaurants and pubs resembling pre-COVID-19 times," adding, "Quarantine fatigue and insensitivity can instantly wipe out the achievements made through our sacrifices and efforts."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

79 Critically Ill Patients... 24 Increase Over Three Days
Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk Face Shortage of ICU Beds

With the surge in confirmed cases, concerns over bed shortages are growing. Although critically ill patients are not rapidly increasing yet due to the rise mainly among younger patients, the overall increase in new cases has steepened the rise in critically ill patients. As of today, there are 79 critically ill patients, an increase of 24 over the past three days. Considering 4 deaths during this period, the number is rising by nearly 10 patients per day.

The health authorities stated that the ICU bed utilization rate for severely ill patients is still below 60%, indicating some capacity remains. However, with patients rapidly increasing over a few days, concerns at frontline medical sites have risen due to delays in timely transfers. Among the 405 ICU beds nationwide, only 57 beds (as of the 17th) are immediately available for COVID-19 patients, and except for Jeju and Chungbuk, fewer than 5 beds remain in other regions.

Lee Chang-jun, head of the Patient Bed Management Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said, "In the Gangwon region, we are securing additional ICU beds and reviewing the use of joint beds in the nearby metropolitan area," adding, "Considering the increasing trend of critically ill patients, we will continue efforts to secure additional beds."

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