"Seoul Reports Record High 295 New COVID-19 Cases Yesterday... Strengthening Quarantine Measures"

Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop: "Simultaneous Cluster Infections + Seasonal Factors" Are the Cause
Securing Dedicated Beds for Severe Patients... Some Facilities Under Quarantine Management Equivalent to Level 3

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Yesterday, the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Seoul reached 295, marking the highest number ever recorded.

Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the morning of the 4th and said, "As of midnight on the 4th, there were 295 confirmed cases in Seoul alone, the highest daily number since the outbreak of COVID-19 in January," adding, "As the year-end approaches, the number of confirmed cases is snowballing."

Acting Mayor Seo said, "Seoul City is making every effort in unprecedented quarantine measures, but the effect of social distancing is still showing somewhat slowly compared to expectations," and added, "Chain infections in daily life are spreading rapidly, and simultaneous cluster infections are occurring in many places, making it difficult for quarantine efforts to keep up with the speed of the spread."

He also explained the rapid increase in confirmed cases by saying, "As the season enters winter, citizens tend to engage more in indoor activities such as exercise and meetings, but ventilation is not properly maintained, which is understood to increase the risk of infection."

Regarding the issue of hospital beds for treating COVID-19 patients, he said, "Currently, out of 61 beds dedicated to severe patients, only 8 remain available," and added, "We have agreed with university hospitals such as Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul Asan Medical Center, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital to secure up to 15 additional beds dedicated to severe patients." Acting Mayor Seo also said, "There are talks about having to resort to home quarantine treatment if the speed of confirmed cases increases, but Seoul City is determined to prevent a home quarantine treatment crisis and is preparing various measures."

Regarding the situation of new confirmed cases, he said, "The various conditions for raising the social distancing level to 2.5 have been met," but added, "Considering the livelihood of the people, we are inevitably operating in a way that implements preemptive quarantine measures equivalent to level 2.5 or even level 3 for facilities with higher risk under level 2."

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