Back to 400s in Four Days... Signs of Prolonged Spread Amid Consecutive New Infections

Additional Confirmed Cases in Prisons, Hospitals, and Welfare Facilities... Variant Virus Spread Also a Risk Factor

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 3rd, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 467, increasing back into the 400s after four days. The so-called ‘third wave,’ which seemed to be under control, is prolonging as new cluster infections continue to emerge in prisons, hospitals, and welfare facilities.

The government is considering easing operating restrictions or gathering bans after 9 PM if COVID-19 stabilizes this week, but the spread is not easily slowing down, causing ongoing concern.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on this day, confirmed cases reached 467, an increase of 131 from the previous day. New cluster infections have erupted in correctional facilities, hospitals, and welfare facilities, causing a sharp rise in confirmed cases.

After a period of calm, infections have reappeared in correctional facilities. At Seoul Nambu Prison, nine inmates tested positive after undergoing diagnostic tests. The correctional authorities immediately isolated them in single rooms and conducted mass testing, but additional confirmed cases cannot be ruled out.

Hospital-related cluster infections continue unabated. At Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong-gu, five more patients, caregivers, and guardians tested positive, bringing the total to 52 confirmed cases. At a Korean medicine hospital in Gangdong-gu, since the first patient was identified on the 27th of last month, a total of 20 cases have been confirmed. In a hospital in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, additional confirmed cases have steadily appeared since the 21st of last month, totaling 14 positive cases.

Currently, some of the Big 5 tertiary general hospitals mandate COVID-19 PCR testing for patient admissions and also conduct PCR tests for resident guardians, but most other hospitals only recommend these measures without making them mandatory. This is due to the shortage of medical personnel and the significant burden that mandatory testing of caregivers would impose.

A representative from Seoul Asan Hospital stated, "Hospital infections often occur not only through patients but also through guardians or caregivers who enter and exit the facility." Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "Considering the local incidence rate, testing should be mandated within a narrowed scope, and above all, guidelines to minimize in-hospital transmission?such as healthcare workers wearing masks, goggles, gloves, face shields, and practicing hand hygiene?must be strictly followed."

On the 3rd, with 467 new COVID-19 cases reported, rising again to the 400s after four days, citizens are waiting in line to get tested at the Yeongdeungpo-gu Public Health Center screening clinic in Seoul. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, there were 433 new domestic COVID-19 cases and 34 imported cases. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The spread of variant viruses is also cited as a risk factor. Since December 28 of last year, a total of 34 infections have been confirmed. There are 23 cases of the UK variant, 6 of the South African variant, and 5 of the Brazilian variant. Only nine countries worldwide have detected all three variant viruses, making blocking these variants the biggest variable in preventing the upcoming ‘fourth wave.’

The government is considering easing the ‘9 PM business hour’ restriction ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday amid economic difficulties voiced by self-employed individuals, but various indicators have not stabilized, causing concern. As of this day, the key indicator for adjusting social distancing levels?the average daily number of locally transmitted confirmed cases?has dropped to 383 but still approaches the 400s.

The high proportion of cases with unknown infection routes is also problematic. The percentage of confirmed cases whose infection source cannot be identified remains in the 20% range, accounting for one in five patients. Professor Eom said, "Building infrastructure to minimize patient occurrence is a priority," adding, "Under the assumption that quarantine guidelines such as ventilation and maintaining distance are strictly followed, extending business hours should be considered."

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