Government: "Capital Region, COVID-19 Third Wave" (Update)

Two days ago "Need to watch more" → "Likely to continue spreading for a while"
"Considering raising to Level 2 if daily average exceeds 200 in 수도권"

On the 20th, citizens visiting the COVID-19 screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, are waiting for their turn to be tested.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has sharply increased, mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, the government has considered that the 'third wave' has begun.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine task force, said at a briefing on the 20th, "In the metropolitan area, the speed of infection spread in Seoul is fast, with the number of patients increasing by around 20 people daily (the recent 1-week daily average of new patients) continuing," adding, "sporadic group infections are also increasing in other regions."

He continued, "In the metropolitan area, community transmission has become full-fledged, and the pattern of progressing to a large-scale outbreak is becoming increasingly clear. We judge that the third wave is underway, following the waves in February-March and August," and said, "If the increasing trend of patients in the metropolitan area does not ease and continues, reaching a weekly daily average of 200 patients and thus meeting the criteria for level 2, we will consider raising social distancing to level 2 even before two weeks pass."

Earlier, until the 18th, it was said that "we need to observe whether it is the third wave" (Kang Do-tae, 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters), but within two days, the government tightened measures. Son Young-rae, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' strategic planning team, explained on the day, "Not only has the patient increase trend grown, but the infection reproduction number is rising sharply," adding, "Considering that numerous small cluster infections are occurring sporadically and clusters are appearing in everyday places, we are entering a wave phase with a high possibility of continued spread for the time being."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering a public appeal regarding the novel coronavirus infection on the 20th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of 0:00 on the day, the total number of new patients was 320, including 43 imported cases. It has been in the 300s for three consecutive days. Looking at the week from the 14th to the day, the daily average number of domestic patients during this period reached 228. By region, the metropolitan area had 153, Gangwon region 17, and Honam region 25.

To curb the spread, on the 19th, social distancing was raised to level 1.5 in the metropolitan area and some regions, and some basic local governments also upgraded to level 2. Level 2 social distancing is implemented if, after one week of level 1.5 measures, the number of patients continues to be more than double or if nationwide confirmed cases exceed 300, indicating rapid regional spread.

About two days after level 1.5, if control becomes difficult, the government plans to respond proactively. Yoon said, "We ask for the cooperation of the public to reverse the current situation without raising to level 2, which would seriously affect people's daily lives and livelihoods."

On the 20th, while Level 1.5 social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection are in effect, Myeongdong Street in Seoul is showing a quiet scene. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The increase in critically ill patients, which adds to the burden on frontline medical staff, is also steep. As of the day, the number of severe cases was 84, up 5 from the previous day. According to the quarantine authorities, as of the previous day, 112 intensive care unit beds were available for immediate admission. There are 61 beds dedicated to severe patients and 51 beds voluntarily reported by hospitals. Infectious disease specialized hospitals have 3,882 beds across 44 hospitals, with 1,600 beds (41%) currently in use. Living treatment centers have 10 facilities with 817 occupants, operating at about 34% capacity.

While there is some leeway at the current level, due to the rapid increase in patients recently, additional beds will be secured. The government announced plans to increase the number of COVID-19 intensive care beds to a total of 216 by the end of this year. Currently, there are 140. Additionally, with the budget secured through supplementary appropriations, 415 more beds will be added, including 146 in the first quarter of next year, increasing the total to 593. Furthermore, for living treatment centers where mild or asymptomatic patients are admitted, three new centers have recently opened or are preparing to open in Seoul, and centers operated by local governments will also be secured.

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