South Korea at the Crossroads of a 'Shutdown'... "Possibility of 2,000 to 3,000 Daily Confirmed Cases"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun: "Level 3 Social Distancing Is the Last Resort... Will Decide Boldly If Necessary"

As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rapidly spreads mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, citizens are lining up in long queues for diagnostic testing at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 14th. The government has designated the next three weeks, from this day until the 3rd of next month, as an "intensive testing period" and will provide free testing through temporary screening clinics installed at 150 locations in the metropolitan area. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kwangho Lee and Heungsun Kim] As South Korea faces a frighteningly rapid spread of the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the nation stands at a crossroads regarding a potential "shut down" (temporary suspension of operations). Experts warn that the current number of new daily confirmed cases, nearing 1,000, could soon exceed 2,000 due to factors such as the winter environment. The government and health authorities are also rapidly responding, mentioning the possibility of raising social distancing to the final Level 3 stage.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun emphasized at a COVID-19 response status meeting for the metropolitan area held at Seoul City Hall on the morning of the 14th, "Level 3 social distancing is our last line of defense, and since it requires confidence in its effectiveness and social consensus, careful consideration is necessary," but added, "We are fully gathering opinions from each ministry, local governments, and experts, and if deemed necessary, we will not hesitate to make bold decisions."

718 New Cases on the 14th
Below 1,000 for Now Due to Weekend Testing Volume
Three-Week Intensive Testing Period... Free Testing Expanded

As of midnight on the day, South Korea reported 718 new COVID-19 cases. Although this is lower than the 950 and 1,030 daily cases reported on the weekend of the 12th and 13th, the number of diagnostic tests conducted was 22,444, which is 16,207 fewer than the 38,651 tests performed on the previous Friday, making it difficult to conclude that the spread has slowed. The positivity rate, which indicates the proportion of positive cases among those tested, averaged 3.22% over the recent eight days from the 4th to the 11th, significantly higher than the 1% range before the third wave.

The government has designated the period from today until the 3rd of next month as an "intensive testing period," during which free testing will be conducted at 150 temporary screening clinics set up in the metropolitan area. This aims to lower the barriers to COVID-19 testing and to detect asymptomatic infections spreading in the community early. Testing is free even for those without suspicious symptoms or epidemiological links to confirmed cases. To improve testing convenience and reduce result waiting times, two additional testing methods?'saliva PCR test' and 'rapid antigen test'?will be added alongside the existing 'PCR test (nasopharyngeal swab gene amplification test)'.

On the morning of the 14th, citizens are waiting in line to get tested for the novel coronavirus infection at the screening clinic of Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Experts Warn "Considering Positivity Rate, Daily Cases Could Exceed 2,000; Medical Response Must Accelerate"
Political Sphere Debates Effectiveness of K-Quarantine

Professor Eun-mi Cheon of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital stressed, "To quickly identify asymptomatic carriers and prevent further transmission, we must fully utilize the maximum daily diagnostic testing capacity, known to be around 110,000 tests, and expand intensive testing not only in the metropolitan area but nationwide. In this case, daily confirmed cases could rise to 2,000?3,000, so a response system for hospitalization and treatment must be prepared."

The government's quarantine measures have sparked debates in the political arena as well. Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, stated, "Considering the current situation, I think the government's praised 'K-Quarantine' has reached its limits," and demanded, "Please make a sober judgment and establish a new quarantine system." Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "The current medical staff and hospital facilities are almost at their limit," and added, "We will take necessary legal measures to ensure smooth utilization of medical personnel, facilities, and other resources."

Prime Minister Chung said, "Assuming the worst-case scenario over the next 20 days, we will secure sufficient hospital beds and residential treatment centers, and especially ensure that no confirmed patient waits more than a day, providing thorough support to each individual without gaps."

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