Confirmed Cases Again in the 1,000s... Premature Optimism is the Host of COVID-19

1020 New Cases... Four Digits in Three Days
Year-End and New Year Quarantine Measures Extended for 2 Weeks
Major Damage from Loosening Controls During 2nd Wave
Experts Say "Must Not Repeat Past Mistakes"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Sojeong] On the 4th, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) reached four digits at 1,020 after three days, raising concerns about 'premature optimism.' The government, fearing significant economic damage if social distancing is raised to level 3, decided to extend the current distancing level and the year-end and New Year special quarantine measures for two more weeks until the 17th. They believe that by expanding stronger measures than the existing level 3, such as banning private gatherings of five people nationwide and increasing proactive testing, the trend will shift to a decrease after two weeks. Experts pointed out that since the easing of quarantine measures during the second wave when confirmed cases began to decline led to greater damage in the third wave, now is not the time to be complacent.

◆Temporary decrease due to reduced testing= Kim Wooju, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "With the third wave continuing for over a month and a half, the most important thing is to accurately diagnose and respond to the current situation." He added, "Although confirmed cases dropped to three digits over the weekend due to fewer tests during the New Year holidays, large-scale cluster infections in vulnerable facilities such as detention centers and nursing hospitals are severe, and infections are widely spreading throughout the community, making it difficult for the spread to subside."

Although some recent indicators show positive changes, large-scale cluster infections in detention centers and nursing hospitals can quickly escalate into a large-scale outbreak, so preparation for this is a priority. Lee Jaegab, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, said, "There were 21 new cluster outbreaks in the past week, down from 53 previously, and the infection reproduction number has dropped to about 1.00, but premature optimism is forbidden." He emphasized, "Even with vaccines and treatments, the outbreak situation may continue for a considerable time, so it is urgent to review and prepare the overall hospital structure and systems during this opportunity."

◆Avoid repeating past failures= Experts noted that during the first wave, problems with cohort isolation due to cluster infections were pointed out, but the quarantine authorities delayed countermeasures, increasing casualties. Since many lives were lost, the most important thing is not to repeat past mistakes. Professor Lee said, "When 102 inpatients at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital tested positive for COVID-19 last February, there were concerns about many patients lying on the floor without beds, and the medical community pointed out problems with cohort isolation." He added, "Subsequently, delayed government measures led to increased casualties, including deaths among nursing hospital residents with underlying diseases."

According to the quarantine authorities, in the past month, 996 confirmed cases and 99 deaths occurred in 14 nursing hospitals under cohort isolation. Many nursing hospital wards are overcrowded with 6-7 beds per room, making them vulnerable to infection, and most patients are bedridden with underlying conditions, increasing the damage. Although the government announced yesterday a 'Nursing Hospital Emergency Medical Response Plan' to conduct weekly PCR tests for all nursing hospital staff nationwide and to promptly transfer non-contact patients to other nursing hospitals if large-scale infections occur, there are calls to specify detailed plans. Professor Kim said, "The government's vague measures to promptly transfer non-contact patients to other nursing hospitals in case of large-scale infections and to transfer confirmed patients to dedicated nursing hospitals or severe care beds depending on severity when the number is small are insufficient." He added, "A detailed manual is needed to proactively prevent infections."

◆"One person, one room isolation is necessary"= As the number of confirmed cases in correctional facilities nationwide rose to 1,115 on the day, concerns about inadequate isolation of confirmed cases continue. Professor Kim said, "Isolation of confirmed cases requires one person per room," and urged, "The government should take strong measures now to ensure one person per room, not relying solely on mass testing." He added, "Although the government cites seasonal factors, countries like Taiwan and New Zealand have significantly fewer confirmed cases." He concluded, "If another large-scale cluster infection occurs, the number of confirmed cases could explode at any time, so a long-term strategy looking several steps ahead is necessary."

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