Metropolitan Area Delta Variant Spread... Vaccinations for 50s Age Group Begin This Month

Over 700 Cases for Two Consecutive Days... 607 Confirmed in the Capital Area Alone

As COVID-19 cases surge in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, the current social distancing measures have been extended by one week. On the 1st, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza lined up to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] As the re-spread of COVID-19 delays the application of new 'social distancing' measures in the Seoul metropolitan area by one week, the number of new confirmed cases has exceeded 700 for two consecutive days. In particular, with the continuous detection of Delta variant virus cases, there are calls for stronger quarantine measures.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 1st, as of midnight, the number of new confirmed cases was 762, marking the second consecutive day above 700. Of these, 712 were domestic cases and 50 were imported cases.

Especially, confirmed cases in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area are surging. Seoul reported 332 cases, Gyeonggi 245, and Incheon 30, totaling 607 cases, accounting for 85.3% of all domestic cases. This is a higher figure than the previous day (83.1%), which recorded the highest number of cases in Seoul this year, and is the highest since November 4 last year, before the third wave. Although Seoul's confirmed cases were 334, 41 fewer than the previous day, it is the highest number for a Wednesday this year.

The increase in Delta variant infections, which have higher transmissibility than the original virus, is also fueling the spread. The cumulative number of confirmed cases related epidemiologically to six English academies in five areas including Seongnam, Bucheon, Goyang, Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, as well as a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, has risen to 213. Among them, nine were confirmed to be infected with the Delta variant.

'Possibility of continuous n-th infections... Additional extension of distancing measures possible'

As COVID-19 cases surged in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, the current social distancing measures were extended by one week. On the 1st, a notice stating "No gatherings of 5 or more people" was posted on the entrance door of a restaurant in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital expressed concern, saying, "Given the current infection trend, it is highly likely that the new distancing measures will be extended," adding, "Since n-th infections continue, the spread could last for at least another month." Professor Cheon emphasized, "With the first-dose vaccination rate stuck at 30%, it is premature to 'take off masks.' Sudden escalation of restrictions would inevitably cause significant damage to self-employed businesses, so it is necessary to control the spread early."

Vaccination is urgent to curb the spread, but the current focus of authorities on second-dose vaccinations has kept the vaccination rate stagnant. According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 14,233 people received their first dose the previous day, bringing the cumulative total to 15,336,361 first-dose recipients. The vaccination rate relative to the population is 29.9%. Meanwhile, 107,695 people received their second dose, totaling 5,041,240, with a population vaccination rate of 9.8%.

The Promotion Team will announce the priority vaccination targets for July, the types of vaccines for each target group, and detailed reservation and vaccination schedules later today.

The highest priority recipients are those aged 60 to 74 whose vaccinations were postponed in June, essential workers under 30, teachers, and healthcare workers. They will receive the Pfizer vaccine, with first doses administered from July 5 to 17, and second doses from July 26 to August 7.

High school seniors preparing for the College Scholastic Ability Test and school staff will receive the Pfizer vaccine starting the third week of this month, while teachers of children aged 30 and above in daycare centers and grades 1-2 in elementary schools will receive Pfizer or Moderna vaccines starting the third week. Approximately 8.57 million people in their 50s will begin vaccination from the fourth week of this month.

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