"Who Doesn't Want to Have Fun?" Wine Bar, Dance, Ping Pong 'n-th Infection'... Citizens Express Frustration

600 New COVID-19 Cases on the 6th
Entry to Enclosed Spaces Like Wine Bars, Dance Classes, Ping Pong Halls in Some Areas
Citizens Say, "Please Refrain from Personal Hobbies and Leisure Activities..."
KDCA States, "Minimize Human Contact... Breaking the Chain of 'n-th Transmission' Is Most Important"

A COVID-19 confirmed patient is being transported to the hospital for treatment. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is spreading through relentless 'n-th transmission' chains. Recently, it has infiltrated many aspects of our daily lives, making adherence to quarantine rules even more urgent. However, some still enter enclosed spaces for personal hobbies or leisure activities without wearing masks, drawing strong criticism from citizens.

Additional confirmed cases have consecutively emerged at locations such as restaurants with performance venues in Jongno-gu, Seoul; wine bars in Gwanak-gu; ping-pong halls in Songpa-gu; musical rehearsal rooms in Seongbuk-gu; dance studios in Gangseo-gu; and pubs in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.

As of today (the 6th), the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded was in the 600s. This figure ranks as the third highest daily count ever, fueling public criticism.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Central Disease Control Headquarters' report on major domestic COVID-19 occurrences released on the 5th, as of midnight, the cumulative confirmed cases related to a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul, total 55. During contact tracing, 21 additional cases were confirmed. The restaurant had a performance stage, and it was found that the audience did not properly wear masks while watching the performance.

The cluster infection related to the ping-pong hall in Songpa-gu first occurred on the 1st. Including the first confirmed case during contact tracing, 11 users of the ping-pong hall and 11 family members infected by them were confirmed, totaling 22 cases to date.

Regarding the wine bar in Gwanak-gu, after the first case on the 29th of last month, contact tracing confirmed 20 additional cases, including 8 visitors (including the first confirmed case), 5 family members and acquaintances, and 8 further infections through family and acquaintances, bringing the total to 21.

For the musical rehearsal room in Seongbuk-gu, after the first case on the 1st, 16 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing. So far, a total of 17 people, including actors, have tested positive. According to health authorities, the cluster infection is presumed to have been caused by prolonged rehearsal in a sealed basement level 2 space.

As the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) begins, theater audiences are rapidly declining again. Despite new releases, the number of weekday viewers has dropped significantly to around 50,000. The photo shows a movie theater in downtown Seoul on the 27th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In Seongbuk-gu, two people tested positive during contact tracing related to a university band club, increasing the total to 37.

Regarding the dance lessons in Gangseo-gu, 9 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total to 249. The first confirmed case, infected during dance lessons, transmitted the virus to their workplace hospital and school, with colleagues and acquaintances subsequently infected.

Given this situation, citizens are voicing criticism. They condemn gatherings in enclosed spaces and improper mask-wearing during the COVID-19 spread phase as violations of quarantine rules.

Kim, a company employee in their 30s, said, "Personal hobbies should be postponed until COVID-19 calms down. Others are also refraining from (hobby activities)." He added, "People should not think they won't get infected and should stay alert." He further urged, "I hope others reduce their leisure activities after seeing this situation."

Lee, a university student in their 20s, said, "I also want to have fun and engage in hobbies at the end of the year, but seeing so many confirmed cases makes me feel 'scared' and think 'I could get COVID-19 too.'" He emphasized, "That's why my friends and I are refraining from going to bars or engaging in hobbies." He added, "Since many young people are getting infected these days, I hope everyone avoids hobby activities."

Park, an office worker in their 40s, said, "Ultimately, the biggest victim is oneself, then family. COVID-19 spreads to friends, so for the sake of those around us, places like bars, billiard halls, bowling alleys, and ping-pong halls should not be used." He stressed, "We need to restrain (hobby activities) out of consideration for others."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As COVID-19 spreads through personal leisure activities, 'n-th transmission' chains continue not only in the metropolitan area but also in other regions.

Regarding the pub in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, the total confirmed cases are 40, including 19 visitors (including the first infected visitor), 13 family members, 2 acquaintances, 4 colleagues, and 2 additional infections. During contact tracing, 15 more cases were confirmed.

The total confirmed cases related to Janggu (traditional Korean drum) lessons in Busan and Ulsan currently stand at 177. Seven additional cases were confirmed during isolation, including 5 related to a sports facility where Janggu lessons were held in Busan and 2 related to a school.

Meanwhile, among the 6,573 confirmed cases reported from midnight on the 22nd of last month to midnight on the 5th, 38.3% were contacts of the first confirmed cases, and 35.4% were cluster outbreak cases.

5.4% were imported cases, and 0.1% were contacts of imported cases related to overseas inflow. 4.5% were related to hospitals and nursing hospitals. Cases with unknown infection routes under investigation accounted for 16.4%, totaling 1,075 people.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters emphasized, "To block the spread of COVID-19 early, it is most important to minimize human contact and detect patients early to break the chain of 'n-th transmission'." They added, "If you have suspicious symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms, you should visit screening clinics, respiratory specialized clinics, or nearby medical institutions for diagnosis or testing."

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