Raised to Level 2 in Non-Capital Areas... Helpless Amid 'Wonjeong Spread'

New COVID-19 Cases Over 1,600 for Two Consecutive Days
Experts Say "At Least Level 3 Needed for Travel Destinations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The spread of COVID-19 in non-metropolitan areas is becoming increasingly severe. The fourth large wave, triggered by the balloon effect from the metropolitan area, is rapidly spreading to non-metropolitan regions. Although the government raised the social distancing level to Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas excluding four regions?Sejong, Jeonnam, and others?from the 15th, there are continuous criticisms that this is insufficient to prevent nationwide spread. ▶Related article pages 4 and 10

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on this day, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases was 1,600, which is 15 fewer than the previous day that set a new record. Among these, 1,555 were locally transmitted cases. There were 1,098 cases in the metropolitan area including Seoul (518), Gyeonggi (491), and Incheon (89), and 457 cases in non-metropolitan areas. Notably, while metropolitan cases decreased by nearly 100 from 1,179 the previous day, non-metropolitan areas such as Gyeongnam, Busan, and Daejeon saw an increase of nearly 70 cases.

The proportion of confirmed cases in non-metropolitan areas rose from 22.1% on the 9th to 22.7%, 24.7%, 27.1%, 27.6%, 24.8%, and then jumped to 29.4% on this day. The weekly average number of daily cases in non-metropolitan areas reached 300, more than double the 133 cases of the previous week. It is expected to increase further this week. By region on this day, Gyeongnam recorded 86 cases, Busan 63, Daejeon 59, Chungnam 51, Daegu 50, Jeonnam 26, Gangwon 24, Jeonbuk 23, and Gwangju 21.

The government applied Level 2 social distancing to most non-metropolitan areas except Sejong, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Gyeongbuk, but the prevailing assessment is that it is difficult to curb the current spread. Professor Choi Jae-wook of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Korea University College of Medicine said, "Even if Level 2 is applied, it is necessary to deliver a clear message to the public to restrict movement from the metropolitan area to non-metropolitan areas," adding, "Currently, infections in non-metropolitan areas are strongly influenced by inflows from the metropolitan area, and if this is not controlled, further escalation of social distancing levels in non-metropolitan areas will be inevitable."

The weekly average number of domestic cases has already exceeded 1,000 for five consecutive days, meeting the nationwide Level 3 criteria (more than 1,000 cases for three consecutive days). Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital emphasized, "Although the government states that uniform application of social distancing is not possible, most areas in Korea are within a daily living zone reachable within two hours," and added, "At least Level 3 should be applied to large cities and tourist areas, with measures equivalent to Level 4 such as banning gatherings at entertainment facilities and restricting business hours."

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