Authorities: "Risk Factors for 4th Wave Are Cluster Infections and Increased Mobility... Hope Lies in Vaccination of High-Risk Groups"

On the morning of the 5th, COVID-19 diagnostic testing is being conducted at the Seoul Station screening clinic in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Despite the weekend effect, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remains in the 400s, and the spread is not easily controlled, raising warning signs about the '4th wave.' The quarantine authorities stated that risk factors and hopeful factors coexist in the progression toward the 4th wave and once again urged citizens to strictly adhere to quarantine guidelines.

On the morning of the 6th, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) quarantine team, said in a COVID-19 briefing, "I believe that increased mobility due to eased social distancing and the resulting cluster infections are risk factors leading to the 4th wave." He explained, "The number of patients is gradually increasing, and currently, the driving factor of the spread is cluster outbreaks outside the metropolitan area," adding, "To prevent further spread of cluster infections, the transmission must be stabilized early." To this end, Yoon emphasized, "Basically, movement restrictions are necessary in areas with a high number of cases," and added, "Measures addressing this are being implemented."

On the other hand, vaccination was cited as a hopeful factor that could prevent progression to the 4th wave. Yoon stated, "Although the vaccination rate is lower compared to foreign countries, the first dose has been almost completed in high-risk vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and care centers," and explained, "Protecting population groups with high fatality rates secures capacity in medical response, which is somewhat hopeful." He also noted, "There are foreign studies showing that some immunity is formed after the first dose, and while the significant reduction in cluster infections within high-risk vulnerable facilities is partly due to proactive testing, we cautiously judge that it may also be an effect of vaccination."

Meanwhile, regarding criticism that the government sent the wrong signal to citizens by easing social distancing too quickly, Son Young-rae, head of the CDSCH social strategy team, responded, "The easing of social distancing stages was considered due to the 3rd wave subsiding to some extent and the social fatigue and acceptance of prolonged distancing." He countered, "While restrictions on operating hours and gathering bans are important, if the public's compliance does not improve, the effectiveness of social distancing will inevitably be reduced." He repeatedly emphasized, "The social distancing system is relaxed and then strengthened again if the situation worsens," and added, "It is crucial to secure the public's empathy and compliance as much as possible."

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