Early Stage of 4th Wave? Authorities Say "Qualitatively Different from December, Need to Monitor Situation Further" (Update)

Calls to Raise Social Distancing Measures: "First, Local Government Actions... Nationwide Adjustments to Be Discussed After Further Observation"

On the 22nd, citizens are waiting to get tested at a temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Amid the recent domestic COVID-19 outbreak maintaining daily cases in the 500s, health authorities stated that "while the number 500 itself is similar to early December when the third wave began, there is definitely a qualitative difference."

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at the COVID-19 regular briefing on the 2nd, "It is quite difficult to simply compare the situation now with early December when the third wave started." He explained, "The fact that cases occurred at the 500 level is similar, but in early December, the numbers fluctuated between 500 and 600, then entered the 600s and just two days later surged into the 1000s."

He added, "The 500 range was not only seen in early December but also experienced in mid-February right after the Lunar New Year holiday. At that time, unlike early December, the numbers stayed in the high 500s before dropping back to the 300-400 range, so we need to observe a bit more to determine whether the current situation resembles early December or mid-February after the holiday."

The authorities are focusing on the fact that unlike late last year when the third wave began, there is currently sufficient hospital bed capacity. They also cite the significant vaccination coverage in high-risk facilities as a positive factor. Yoon analyzed, "In early December, there were many cluster infections in nursing hospitals and nursing facilities, which heavily burdened the overall medical response system. However, currently, residents under 65 and workers in nursing hospitals and facilities have been vaccinated, resulting in relatively very few infections." He emphasized, "Since some time has passed since the first dose, there may be some protective effect for high-risk facilities."

Regarding Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that day, describing the recent COVID-19 spread as "a very precarious situation, worrying whether it is just a pause at the beginning of the fourth wave," the authorities responded, "We need to observe a bit more." Yoon said, "It is difficult to clearly define the criteria for the fourth wave and specify exact numbers. However, since an outbreak is described as a curve that rapidly rises, peaks, and then declines, we can judge by observing the future confirmed cases during the fourth wave."

As confirmed cases in the 500s continue, voices calling for raising social distancing measures are emerging. With a rapid spread mainly in non-metropolitan areas, some local governments such as Busan have raised distancing to level 2. Regarding this, Yoon said, "In non-metropolitan areas, case increases are not across all regions but concentrated in specific areas. Some local governments like Busan have raised distancing to level 2, and these measures are being implemented first. We plan to monitor the situation further before discussing nationwide adjustments to distancing."

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