COVID-19 Cases Remain in the 500s for Two Consecutive Days... Debate Over 'Level 2.5' Restrictions

Average 410 Cases Per Day for a Week Starting 21st
Step-Up Review Criteria Almost Reached
Half the Population, Most Cases in 수도권
Government "Need to Observe Step 2 Effect" Cautious
Experts "Rapid Spread, Preemptive Upgrade Needed"

On the 27th, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, a notice about the change in late-night train operation times during Seoul's Ten Million Citizens Emergency Pause period is posted at Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) remains in the 500s for the second consecutive day, discussions about raising social distancing to level 2.5 are heating up. The quarantine authorities maintain that since the effect of raising to level 2 in the metropolitan area has not yet fully appeared, the trend next week should be observed, but among experts, there are opinions that it should be raised as a preemptive measure.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the average daily number of domestically transmitted confirmed cases for the week from the 21st to the 27th was 410, rapidly approaching the conditions for social distancing level 2.5. Among these, the number of locally transmitted confirmed cases was 382.4, and if the current trend continues, it will soon reach the level 2.5 criteria. To reach level 2.5, there must be 400 to 500 or more confirmed cases nationwide, or a rapid increase such as doubling of cases. In particular, with the highest number of confirmed cases (402) occurring in the metropolitan area, which accounts for half of the population, concerns about a surge in cases are growing.

Significant Spread in the Community... Rising Sense of Crisis
Number of Confirmed Cases Early Next Week Will Be a Gauge

Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, diagnosed, "As confirmed cases have recently increased around us, the sense of crisis that 'I could get infected too' is intensifying," adding, "With medical staff infections occurring one after another in hospitals, there is concern that the virus has spread considerably in the community." Professor Eom said, "It takes at least one to two weeks to see the effect of raising the level, but the problem is that confirmed cases are rapidly increasing before the effect of level 2 social distancing can be assessed," expressing concern that "by the time the effect is seen and the level is raised, it may already be too late."

Professor Lee Jae-gap, an infectious disease specialist at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, said, "The number of confirmed cases on Monday and Tuesday next week will be a gauge," adding, "If the number of confirmed cases early next week rises to an unmanageable level, it should be raised preemptively." Professor Lee advised, "From the government's perspective, raising the level in a short period is burdensome, but given the current rapid increase, preparations should be made with the mindset that the level can be raised to 2.5 at any time according to the timeline."

The government is cautious about raising to level 2.5 due to economic ripple effects and other factors. Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "The effect of level 2 social distancing in the metropolitan area will be reflected next week, and it is too early to evaluate it, so raising to level 2.5 now is premature," adding, "If social distancing is well implemented, the effect will appear from next week, and the peak of the outbreak may pass in the latter half of next week." He continued, "We will comprehensively assess the current situation and, if necessary, take strong measures without hesitation."

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