Daily COVID-19 Cases Near 1,000... Coronavirus Anxiety Also Hits Year-Round High

Seoul National University Professor Yoomyungsoon's Team Releases Early This Month Survey Results
Most Critical Time Since Outbreak "As of December"

Citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] As the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea prolongs and the daily number of confirmed cases approaches 1,000, the anxiety of the Korean people about COVID-19 has reached its highest level of the year.

According to data released on the 16th by the research team led by Professor Yoo Myung-soon of Seoul National University, who conducted a "COVID-19 Perception Survey" targeting adult men and women nationwide during the first and second weeks of this month, 26.7% of respondents answered "currently in December" when asked about the time when "Korean society" was most at risk due to COVID-19. The survey included 1,110 adult men and women in the first week and 1,000 in the second week of this month.

When asked about when their "life and livelihood" were most at risk, 19.7% of respondents also answered "currently in December." Both figures are the highest levels of the year. Following December, the month of "March," when a cluster infection occurred mainly in the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu and the Gyeongbuk region, was identified as 21% and 14.4%, respectively.

Professor Yoo interpreted, "The perception that now is the most precarious time amid nearly a year-long COVID-19 crisis suggests that the third wave is a crisis that not only has epidemiological aspects but also shrinks the daily lives of many individuals once again."

The number of respondents who perceived a high likelihood of being infected with COVID-19 themselves also increased. Those who answered "I am likely to be infected with COVID-19" accounted for 16.8% of the total, the highest level since May when the same question was asked. Additionally, when asked on a 5-point scale (1 point: not safe at all, 5 points: very safe) how safe Korean society is now from COVID-19 for themselves and their families, the average score was 2.42, matching the lowest score recorded in September (2.42).

Data provided by the research team of Professor Yum Yoosoon at Seoul National University

16.8% of Respondents "High Likelihood of Infection" ... Highest Level Since May
Social Distancing Level Increase: 49.2% Believe COVID-19 Will Be Suppressed vs. 47.2% Believe It Will Not, Nearly Even

Survey participants were divided evenly on whether the government's decision on the 8th to raise the social distancing level to 2.5 in the metropolitan area (level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) would effectively suppress the spread of infection. Those who answered "It will be suppressed" accounted for 49.2%, while 47.2% answered "It will not be suppressed," showing almost no difference. About 3.6% responded "I don't know."

Regarding improvements needed in the domestic response system known as "K-quarantine" to prepare for the prolonged COVID-19 situation, 81.4% of respondents ranked "enhancing the speed, accuracy, and transparency of decision-making regarding raising or lowering social distancing levels" and "protecting high-risk essential workers such as medical personnel during the prolonged crisis" as the joint top priorities. "Reducing disparities in the distribution of healthcare resources such as hospital beds and personnel between regions" ranked third at 76.8%.

Professor Yoo emphasized, "Although the COVID-19 crisis is approaching one year, it is still uncertain when it will end. In this prolonged phase, Korea's COVID-19 response, known as K-quarantine, must continuously improve to sustain its effectiveness." She added, "The quarantine authorities should take note that the survey results show that enhancing the speed, accuracy, and transparency in decision-making and implementation of social distancing levels is the most urgent improvement needed in crisis management. It is also essential to reflect and improve upon the public's call to protect high-risk COVID-19 personnel, who face burnout from prolonged treatment and quarantine efforts."

Meanwhile, the survey also confirmed opinions on the priority for COVID-19 vaccination and fears related to the vaccine. The highest priority group for COVID-19 vaccination was medical staff working in COVID-19 treatment institutions or responsible for quarantine tasks (66.6%). This was followed by the elderly or vulnerable elderly living in long-term care facilities (17.5%), infants and pregnant women (7.7%), essential service providers such as bus drivers and delivery workers (5.5%), and socially vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities (2.7%). Regarding fears about COVID-19 vaccination, 55.8% answered that they were afraid that the vaccine was being rushed without ensuring safety, which was more than the 35.7% who feared that vaccination would be delayed compared to other countries.

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