Severe Cases Rising, No Hospital Beds... COVID-19 Alert in the Capital Area

Despite Two Rounds of Social Distancing Increases,
Seoul's Cases Rise Over 10 Times in a Month,
Medical Staff and Beds Can't Keep Up,
Additional Increases Possible Depending on Weekend Situation

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Jo Hyun-ui] As the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea rises to the 600s for the first time in nine months, quarantine authorities are on high alert. The spread in Seoul, a densely populated city, is particularly evident. Although social distancing measures in the metropolitan area were raised twice last month?from level 1 to 1.5, and then from 1.5 to 2?the number of new confirmed cases in Seoul has not subsided but rather increased rapidly.

Seoul, Densely Populated, Records Highest Number of Confirmed Cases

The number of new confirmed cases in Seoul was only 20 to 40 in early last month, but it surged more than tenfold within a month, reaching nearly 300 on this day. The nearly 300 new cases mark the highest record for two consecutive days, following the previous day’s 262 cases. Accordingly, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Seoul has approached approximately 10,000.

The reason for the sharp increase in confirmed cases in Seoul is that the third wave of the pandemic is occurring simultaneously in various everyday settings. The metropolitan area, including Seoul, with its large population and frequent movement, is inevitably more vulnerable to community infections.

During the first and second waves, large-scale infections in specific groups in certain areas allowed for preemptive responses through contact tracing. However, in the current situation where community infections are widespread, it is insufficient to curb the spread. With the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) completed and interviews and essay screenings remaining, examinees from across the country have gathered and dispersed in the metropolitan area, raising concerns about re-spreading of infections centered around the metropolitan area.

On the 4th, as the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection shows an explosive spread, citizens are waiting to get tested at the COVID-19 screening clinic at Dongjak-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Sharp Increase in Critically Ill Patients Causes "Medical Staff Shortage"

As the number of critically ill patients has also surged, securing hospital beds has become an emergency. On this day, the number of critically ill patients was 116, marking three consecutive days of triple-digit figures. With hospital beds in Seoul, where confirmed cases are concentrated, nearly full, the government is busy preparing responses, including urgently requesting bed availability from tertiary general hospitals. However, the number of medical staff and beds is unable to keep pace with the recent rapid increase in patients, exacerbating difficulties on the ground.

According to health authorities, as of the 3rd, there are only 10 available hospital beds for COVID-19 patients in Seoul. In non-metropolitan areas as well, regions such as Chungnam and Gyeongnam have no beds available for confirmed patients to be admitted.

A representative from Seoul National University Hospital’s COVID-19 severe patient treatment ward (DICU) said, "The DICU beds, where severe patients gather, have been fully occupied throughout this week," adding, "There are a total of 32 beds for COVID-19 patients, including 8 DICU beds, but there is little capacity to accept additional patients."

Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "For severe COVID-19 patients requiring CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) dialysis or ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), at least eight medical staff members are needed," and added, "There is a shortage of medical staff as many high-risk patients, such as those with Parkinson’s disease who cannot express themselves or move without a ventilator, are being admitted after testing positive for COVID-19."

On the 4th, as 629 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported, marking the first time in nine months that the number exceeded 600, citizens visiting the screening clinic set up at Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul are waiting for their tests. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Government to Decide on Raising Social Distancing Level This Weekend

With concerns about the third wave becoming a reality, the government indicated the possibility of further raising social distancing levels, stating that last month’s elevation measures have yet to show significant effects. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressed concern at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the morning of the day, saying, "It has been ten days since the metropolitan area raised social distancing to level 2, but the spread of infection has not yet been contained."

The government plans to decide on whether to raise the quarantine levels in the metropolitan area and nationwide at the CDSCH meeting scheduled for the afternoon of the 6th.

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