Average Daily Local Infections Exceed 500... Possibility of Raising Social Distancing Level

106,230 Cumulative COVID-19 Cases as of the 6th

5 Local Transmissions of Variant Virus from South Africa
First Domestic Case of Local Transmission

Citizens are lining up to get tested at a temporary screening clinic installed at Seoul Station.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] As the daily average of COVID-19 confirmed cases in local areas exceeded 500, the possibility of raising the social distancing level has increased. In particular, concerns about the fourth wave are growing as cases of community transmission of the South African variant virus, known for its low vaccine and treatment efficacy, have been confirmed.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the 6th, 478 new confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 106,230. During the week from the 31st of last month to this day, new confirmed cases were in the 400s twice and in the 500s five times.

Among these, the key indicator for adjusting the distancing level, the daily average of locally transmitted cases, was recorded at 500.6, exceeding the upper limit of level 2.5 (nationwide 400?500 cases or more). This is the first time in 80 days since January 16th, when the figure was 516.1. The government will announce the social distancing adjustment plan, currently level 2 in the metropolitan area and 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas, to be applied from next week on the 9th.

Community infections of the South African variant virus have also occurred. Since the 29th of last month until the day before, a total of 41 variant virus infections were additionally confirmed. Notably, in a cluster infection related to a workplace and family in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, five people were infected with the South African variant through community transmission. This is the first time the South African variant has spread within the community.

Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated, "It is presumed to be related to a family case in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi Province," and added, "Although direct contact with the Gimpo case has not been confirmed, we are investigating the possibility of transmission in the workplace and community."

The South African variant is currently considered the least responsive to the COVID-19 vaccines and treatments developed among the 'three major variants' including those from the UK and Brazil. In particular, the AstraZeneca vaccine, which constitutes the majority of vaccines administered domestically, has low efficacy against the South African variant, leading South African health authorities to withhold approval for its use.

Nam Jae-hwan, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Science at Catholic University, stated in February, "It is a clear fact that the AstraZeneca vaccine is less effective against the South African variant," explaining that while it showed about 60% protection against the original COVID-19 virus, it only blocks about 20% against the South African variant. Although companies like Moderna and Pfizer are developing booster shots to respond to variants, it is expected to take considerable time before they are commercially available.

Experts emphasized the need to strengthen quarantine measures alongside vaccination. Professor Chun Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "Reducing confirmed cases is the most important to prevent the spread of variants," adding, "Since it is difficult to vaccinate enough to form herd immunity within the first half of the year, strengthening quarantine measures should be prioritized." She further noted, "The main cause of the recent spread is transmission in multi-use facilities due to asymptomatic infections, so it is urgent to strengthen supervision and management of multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, and sports facilities."

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