"Strengthen Crackdown and Prepare for Step-Up... Dual-Track Strategy Needed for Vaccines and Quarantine"

Daily Confirmed Cases in the 600s... Expert Diagnosis

New Infection Spread Slows Raising Social Distancing Levels During 3rd Wave
Strong Measures Needed When Rules Are Violated While Ensuring Autonomy
Vaccination Is the Solution... Must Tighten Quarantine Measures to Follow Plan

On the 17th, medical staff wearing protective suits are seen in front of a company within Jingwan Industrial Complex in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred. According to health authorities, one confirmed case was identified among workers at a company in Jingwan Industrial Complex, leading to a full-scale test of about 200 employees at the company, resulting in 114 confirmed cases so far. Currently, 59 businesses are located in Jingwan Industrial Complex, with approximately 1,200 workers residing there. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jeong, Lee Chun-hee] On the 17th, as the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases rose back to the 600s for the first time in 38 days, concerns about the reality of a '4th wave' are growing. While confirmed cases had remained in the 300s during the Lunar New Year holiday, the number nearly doubled immediately after the holiday, causing health authorities to be on high alert.

Especially since social distancing measures were relaxed to Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas starting from the 15th, there is a high possibility that confirmed cases will increase further. Experts unanimously agreed that, given the confirmed cases have doubled even before the full impact of the Lunar New Year holiday has taken effect, stronger quarantine measures should be actively considered to prepare for the 4th wave.

Do Not 'Miss the Mark' on Adjusting Social Distancing

Professor Jung Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine stated, "The 3rd wave should be considered to have ended with confirmed cases in the 300s as the baseline," adding, "The problem is the upcoming 4th wave, which, due to the nature of infectious diseases, will be much more intense than the 3rd wave." Professor Jung emphasized, "With the impact of the Lunar New Year holiday and the relaxation of quarantine measures, confirmed cases will inevitably increase. Once cases reach the 1,000s, high-intensity measures must be implemented immediately."

Experts pointed out that during the 3rd wave, there was a delay in raising social distancing levels, which allowed the infection to spread, so it is important not to miss the mark this time.

Professor Jung said, "The key is to ease social distancing slowly but raise it quickly. However, the relaxation applied from the 15th was done simultaneously and all at once," adding, "Since public vigilance can be relaxed, if signs of a large outbreak appear, the level must be raised immediately without hesitation."

Professor Jung Ki-seok of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital said, "Today, 415 confirmed cases are from the metropolitan area, accounting for the majority," and added, "Lowering the level while the spread in the metropolitan area has not been controlled was a misstep."

As the government prepares a new social distancing system next month, experts urged that while autonomy should be guaranteed, responsibility must be clearly increased accordingly. They emphasized that lifting business restrictions such as gathering bans is acceptable, but strong measures must be taken if quarantine rules are violated to prevent an increase in confirmed cases.

Professor Jung Ki-seok said, "So far, strong measures like the 'ban on private gatherings of five or more people' have been effective in controlling the spread, but as these measures have been prolonged, public fatigue has increased," adding, "If the same measures continue, their effectiveness inevitably decreases." He added, "The government should not rely solely on autonomy and responsibility but must mobilize administrative power to significantly strengthen enforcement and impose strict regulations."

Vaccination and Quarantine Must Be Managed Simultaneously

However, some experts drew a line, stating that the recent increase in confirmed cases is not due to the relaxation of social distancing.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital explained, "Considering the average incubation period of five days, it is still too early to say that the impact of the Lunar New Year holiday has fully materialized," adding, "The relaxation of social distancing measures such as extended business hours and allowing entertainment venues started on the 15th, so they cannot be considered to have influenced the current increase in confirmed cases."

Since the number of tests decreased during the Lunar New Year holiday compared to weekdays and confirmed cases are increasing mainly around major cluster outbreaks in hospitals and manufacturing plants, the situation this week should be carefully reviewed before adjusting social distancing measures.

Professor Kim said, "There are 94 confirmed cases of variant viruses from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil," adding, "Since Korea has a high population density and easy interregional movement, it is important to thoroughly manage incoming travelers and expand variant virus analysis to minimize outbreaks caused by variant viruses."

There are also voices calling for simultaneous management of vaccination and quarantine. Professor Chun Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital pointed out, "With direct family gatherings allowed, there is concern about transmission through family meetings," adding, "It is also problematic that the government signaled the relaxation of social distancing before the Lunar New Year holiday ended, which greatly lowered public vigilance."

Professor Chun said, "If premature social distancing relaxation is pursued in the future, it could repeat the mistakes of the 3rd wave," adding, "Ultimately, vaccination is the solution, so the government must thoroughly prepare to ensure vaccination proceeds as planned and simultaneously tighten quarantine measures."

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