Seoul City: "Triple-Digit New Cases Due to Residual Infections from Gwangbokjeol Rally" (Update)

On the 19th, the COVID-19 screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, is crowded with citizens waiting to get tested. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgi Kim] On the 19th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated that the triple-digit increase in new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is "due to the impact of the mass infection related to the August 15th Liberation Day rally."

Park Yumi, the quarantine controller, said at the COVID-19 online briefing that day, "Analysis of the GPS data of confirmed cases showed no correlation with Halloween or the downtown rallies held last weekend."

She explained that the increase in confirmed cases was not due to the impact of the 99-person split rallies simultaneously held by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions last weekend or Halloween on October 30th, when young people gathered in entertainment districts.

Regarding the reason for considering the recent increase in confirmed cases, which occurred about two months apart from the previous triple-digit occurrence, as an effect of the Liberation Day rally, Park said, "There were many confirmed cases during the 8.15 rally, so it is believed that a considerable amount of residual infection remained in the community," adding, "I think this led to the recent small-scale multiple cluster infections."

She added, "Currently, the nationwide COVID-19 crisis alert is at the 'serious' level, and to prevent explosive spread, social distancing will be implemented at level 1.5 for two weeks starting today," emphasizing again, "We ask for strict compliance with quarantine rules to prevent escalation to level 2."

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