Over 600 Cases Again After Social Distancing Eased... Is COVID-19 Resurgence Becoming a Reality?

Daily New COVID-19 Cases Remain in the 600s for Two Consecutive Days
Family Infections Increase During Seollal Holiday Due to Cluster Outbreaks in Factories
Crowds Gather at Clubs Following Easing of Social Distancing
Health Authorities Announce "Social Distancing Reorganization... Considering Strengthening Quarantine Rules"

At a plastic factory in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, workers are lined up on the 17th at Jingwan Industrial Complex in Jingun-eup, waiting for COVID-19 testing. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea has once again risen to the 600s. As the government recently eased social distancing measures and cases increased, raising concerns about a resurgence, calls have emerged to strengthen quarantine guidelines once more.

Since the end of last year, the third wave of COVID-19, which began mainly in the metropolitan area, had temporarily slowed down this month. However, following the Lunar New Year holiday, sporadic cluster infections have occurred nationwide, showing signs of another resurgence. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), as of midnight on the 18th, 621 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total to 85,567. This marks two consecutive days with daily cases in the 600s, following the 17th.

In particular, since the government eased social distancing to Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas on the 15th, daily new cases have been increasing. The average daily number of domestic cases over the past week was 405.85, surpassing the Level 2.5 threshold (400?500 daily new cases) just two days after the easing.

The impact of cluster infections at a boiler manufacturing plant, a plastic manufacturing factory, and a university hospital is also significant. Regarding the boiler factory in Asan, Chungnam Province, 129 people have been confirmed positive so far, with sporadic 'n-th generation infections' continuing among family members and acquaintances who had contact with employees. At a plastic manufacturing factory in Namyangju City, after one Cambodian worker tested positive, a total of 115 cases had been confirmed by the afternoon of the 17th.

On the morning of the 17th, when the number of new COVID-19 cases increased to the 600s, medical staff were collecting specimens at a temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Yonhap News

In addition, with infection cases linked to family gatherings during the Lunar New Year holiday and people flocking to entertainment venues like clubs due to relaxed vigilance, concerns are mounting that a 'fourth large wave' may be beginning.

At several clubs in Gangnam, Seoul, which reopened as social distancing was eased, there were cases on the early morning of the 17th where people were drinking and dancing together in confined spaces without wearing masks. When bars closed at 10 p.m. due to operating hour restrictions, patrons moved to nearby lodging facilities to continue drinking, indicating an increase in people loosely following quarantine guidelines.

Regarding this situation, office worker Mr. A (28) said, "This was already a predictable situation," adding, "If cases rise again, social distancing will be strengthened, and when they decrease, it will be eased again like now. I don't know when this cycle will end." He continued, "Even if social distancing is eased, people should follow quarantine rules on their own. Seeing people eating and drinking without masks now only makes me sigh. It's already been over a year. I hope the spread is curbed decisively before we get more exhausted."

Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held on the morning of the 18th at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, as signs of a COVID-19 resurgence appear, the government announced it will reconsider the new social distancing system scheduled to be implemented next month. Although a reorganization of the distancing system was planned to shift the focus from 'regulation and monitoring' to 'autonomy and responsibility,' the CDCH plans to delay the application of the new system and strengthen quarantine rules if the spread continues.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Central Accident Response Headquarters press briefing on the 18th, the government is considering simplifying the current five-level system to three levels to clarify public behavioral messages by stage and minimizing bans on gatherings at multi-use facilities.

Netizens, fatigued by prolonged social distancing, expressed frustration with comments like "How long will this back-and-forth repeat?", "It was a downgrade from the start," and "Wouldn't two weeks at Level 3 save the economy better than three months at Level 2.5?"

The quarantine authorities pointed out that quarantine rules are not being well followed. Kwon Deok-cheol, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), emphasized at the CDCH meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex, "The number of confirmed cases from private gatherings during the Lunar New Year holiday continues to rise. Also, cluster infections are continuously occurring at large workplaces, religious facilities, and medical institutions. Although workplace quarantine rules exist, the biggest problem is that they are not being properly followed."

He added, "If cluster infections occur due to failure to properly follow quarantine rules at workplaces, we ask that all possible measures, including claims for compensation, be taken. The government will mobilize all related agencies to conduct proactive and focused inspections of 3C workplaces and workplaces with many foreign workers."

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