Confirmed Cases at 731... Authorities "Reviewing Adjustments to Social Distancing and Other Measures Based on This Week's Situation" (Update)

"More Capacity in Medical Response System Compared to 3rd Wave... Concern Over High Number of Underlying Patients"

Amid the rapid spread of COVID-19, on the 14th, when the number of new confirmed cases surged to the 700s, citizens lined up for testing at the temporary screening center at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of midnight that day, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases was counted at 731, an increase of 189 from the previous day (542). Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] On the 14th, as the number of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases reached 731, the quarantine authorities announced their position to comprehensively assess the situation this week and consider strengthening quarantine measures such as raising the social distancing level and restricting business hours.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said at the regular COVID-19 briefing that "Wednesday is the first day when the effect of the weekend's reduced testing volume disappears, so from Wednesday to Saturday, the increase in patient numbers becomes clear. As a result, today's domestic confirmed cases have increased," adding, "It seems necessary to comprehensively assess this week's situation and review adjustments to social distancing, quarantine measures, and strengthening of quarantine rules together."

For now, the authorities explained that compared to the previous third wave, the current medical response system has relatively more capacity. Yoon said, "Along with the number of confirmed cases, the number of critically ill patients, especially how much the medical system's response capacity is, and how many critically ill patients there are, are also important considerations," and added, "Compared to the third wave, the number of critically ill patients is currently being managed at a very low level."

He also urged, "If quarantine rules are strengthened, the first to be hit hardest will be small business owners and self-employed individuals," emphasizing, "Since this can greatly affect their livelihoods, thorough compliance with quarantine rules is essential."

As a concern compared to the third wave, he pointed out, "Until mid-November, the core number of patients was at the 100s level, but because the baseline number of patients is higher in the fourth wave, many experts point out the possibility that the scale could become larger," adding, "We are making every effort to prevent the fourth wave from becoming larger."

However, a positive factor is that there is still capacity in the medical system's response, and he explained, "Vaccinations have been carried out for high-risk groups, and strong quarantine measures centered on these groups have significantly reduced the number of patients progressing to critical illness."

Meanwhile, regarding the Janssen vaccine, which has been embroiled in blood clot controversies following the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency plans to continue monitoring it. The day before, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended suspending the use of the Janssen vaccine based on six cases of 'rare but serious' blood clots in vaccine recipients. Baek Young-ha, head of the vaccine introduction team, explained, "Regarding the suspension of the Janssen vaccine in the U.S., the domestic import plan has not changed yet," and added, "We plan to continuously monitor this issue with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and check safety."

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