Phew... Domestic Cases Back to 400s After 40 Days

Politics: 3rd Wave Peak Passed
Prime Minister Chung Hints at Next Week's Step Adjustment
Experts Warn "Wave Could Worsen Again
Social Distancing Steps Should Be Lowered Slowly"

On the 11th, amid continuous severe cold, the temporary COVID-19 screening site set up at Seoul Station Plaza is relatively quiet.

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Cho Hyun-ui] The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 11th at midnight that there were 451 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Among them, 419 cases are presumed to be domestic community infections, and 32 cases are imported from overseas. This is the first time in 40 days since the 2nd of last month that the number of new domestic cases has fallen below 500 per day.

"COVID-19 Testing Also at Public Hospitals"

The authorities believe that the peak of the third wave is passing as stringent quarantine measures, such as prohibiting gatherings of five or more people, have proven effective. However, they pointed out that the situation is not yet reassuring considering the reduced number of diagnostic tests due to weekends and cold waves, the lingering concerns of infections in group facilities, and the overseas situation including variant viruses.

The role of temporary screening clinics, which are scheduled to operate until the 17th, is expected to be taken over by frontline public medical institutions. These temporary clinics have been operating since mid-last month to allow anyone who wishes to get tested, and it is interpreted that expanding testing is effective in curbing the spread. In the recent week (January 5?11), about 580,000 diagnostic tests were conducted, with approximately 380,000 tests at existing screening clinics and about 200,000 at temporary screening clinics. During this period, there were 4,851 new confirmed cases, of which about 16%, or 769 cases, were identified at temporary screening clinics.

The Disease Control Headquarters recently informed local governments that "there is a need to expand testing capacity, and we plan to expand testing institutions targeting local public health centers and public medical institutions where diagnostic specialists are stationed," and are accepting applications until the 12th.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19' held on the 11th at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Relaxation of Social Distancing, Another Poison?

If the current downward trend continues steadily, it is expected that various quarantine measures will be eased after the 17th, when social distancing level 2.5 and special quarantine measures end. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "We will decide on the adjustment plan for social distancing levels within this week," adding, "It will not be an easy decision as we have to consider accumulated fatigue in a situation where we have not yet entered a clearly stable phase."

Experts emphasize that the same mistake should not be repeated, considering the precedent of hastily lowering social distancing levels right after the second wave last year, which led to the third major wave. Professor Lee Jae-gap of Hallym University Infectious Diseases Department advised, "If social distancing is loosened, the outbreak could worsen again," and "Lowering the social distancing level should be done slowly while controlling infection risk factors on the ground."

On the afternoon of the 10th, members of the Korea Fitness Management Association and the Health Club Directors Association held a candlelight protest in front of the Democratic Party of Korea headquarters in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, urging for equitable easing of gathering restrictions on indoor sports facilities related to COVID-19.

Professor Chun Eun-mi of Ewha Mokdong Hospital Respiratory Medicine Department stated, "If multi-use facilities are opened, infections are bound to occur," and argued, "There is a difference between lowering social distancing levels after reducing confirmed cases to double digits and doing so in the current situation."

There are also voices that the government’s set standard of ‘400?500 new confirmed cases’ cannot be considered a sufficient decrease to ease social distancing. Professor Chun said, "Due to the unusual cold wave, outdoor activities have decreased, blocking community spread and reducing diagnostic testing," and added, "Considering seasonal factors, an average of 400?500 new confirmed cases per day is equivalent to 1,000 cases."

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