COVID-19 Cases Reach 600s After Five Days... Will the Spread Slow Down?

Decrease in Diagnostic Tests Due to Cold Wave... Variable in Easing Quarantine Standards for Indoor Sports Facilities

At the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 4th, a medical staff member takes a short break and gives a thumbs-up to the press. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] On the 8th, the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Korea reached 674, maintaining three-digit figures for the fourth consecutive day, raising hopes for a decline in the spread. It is the first time in five days that the number of new cases has been in the 600s since the 657 cases reported on the 3rd of this month.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on this day, the number of new COVID-19 cases was 674, a decrease of 195 from the previous day (869 cases). After recording 1,027 cases on New Year's Day, the number of confirmed cases decreased but rose again to four digits at 1,020 on the 4th, then has been gradually declining. Compared to last month when daily cases hovered around 1,000, the scale of infections has decreased.

However, since the number of diagnostic tests decreased compared to the previous day and the severe cold weather may allow the virus to spread more aggressively, it is advised not to let down one's guard. From today, the lifting of gathering bans on some indoor sports facilities may also influence an increase in confirmed cases.

According to the Disease Control Headquarters, 91,127 diagnostic tests were conducted the previous day. Among these, 60,196 were tests from suspected cases. This is 4,747 fewer than the 64,943 tests conducted the previous day.

At temporary screening clinics in the metropolitan area, 30,931 free anonymous tests were conducted the previous day, which is 6,917 fewer than the 37,848 tests the day before. The decrease is attributed to fewer people visiting the temporary screening clinics due to the severe cold and the reduction of operating hours of the clinics until the 10th, shortened from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Indoor Sports Facilities Performing Childcare Functions Allowed to Operate from Today Amid Equity Controversy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

From today, the government has relaxed quarantine standards to allow indoor sports facilities that perform childcare functions to be used by children and students under 9 years old. Previously, only Taekwondo and ballet academies were permitted to operate, but due to equity controversies, some quarantine rules have been supplemented. Additionally, the government is considering allowing limited operation of facilities designated under gathering bans after the 17th, which may affect the increase in confirmed cases in the future.

Jeong Ki-seok, former director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (professor of respiratory medicine at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital), said, "There has been confusion among the public as different standards were applied within the same indoor sports facilities, such as Taekwondo academies being allowed while fitness centers were not. Given the prolonged COVID-19 situation and high public fatigue, the government needs to establish quarantine standards based on scientific evidence and persuade the public for effective results."

Total of 15 Cases of Variant Virus... Mandatory Submission of Negative PCR Test Certificates for Foreigners

The increase in cases of variant viruses originating from the UK and South Africa is also a variable. With three additional confirmed COVID-19 cases infected with the UK variant virus, the total number of variant virus cases has risen to 15. According to the Disease Control Headquarters, three family members of a confirmed COVID-19 patient who arrived from the UK on the 19th of last month tested positive for the UK variant virus. Gwak Jin, head of the patient management team at the Disease Control Headquarters, said, "This family of three is the first case of variant virus infection in South Korea without any overseas travel history."

To prevent the spread of the variant virus, the government has made it mandatory from today for all foreigners entering through national airports to submit a negative PCR test certificate. The suspension period for direct flights from the UK, which was until the 7th, has been extended by two weeks until the 21st.

Professor Jeong advised, "The current goal of the quarantine authorities should be to delay the entry of the variant virus into the country as much as possible. Just as the number of diagnostic tests was significantly increased through temporary screening clinics in the metropolitan area to find hidden confirmed cases, whole genome sequencing capable of analyzing variant viruses should also be expanded to prepare for the variant virus."

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