New COVID-19 Cases Surpass 2,000 with Breakthrough Infections... With Corona, Anxious Citizens

New COVID-19 Cases Reach 2,000s After 3 Days on the 2nd
Nearly Half of Seoul's New Cases on the 31st Are 'Breakthrough Infections'
Health Authorities Urge 'Booster Shots' for Elderly and Those with Underlying Conditions
"Vaccine Not 100% Effective, Strict Personal Prevention Measures Needed"

On Halloween Day, October 31st, citizens are walking along the streets of Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Since the implementation of the 'Phased Daily Recovery (With Corona)' quarantine system on the 1st of this month, many citizens have expressed anxiety rather than anticipation about the relaxation of quarantine rules. This is because around 2,000 confirmed cases continue to occur daily, and cases of 'breakthrough infections'?where fully vaccinated individuals test positive?are also increasing.

Kim, a housewife in her 30s, said, "I was surprised to see the streets crowded with people for a Halloween party over the weekend. Even though people have been vaccinated, the pandemic is not over, yet everyone seems to be returning to how things were before. Since With Corona started this week, it will probably get even worse. These days, I often see people walking around without masks on the streets."

According to local governments, as of 9 p.m. on the 2nd, the total number of new confirmed cases nationwide across 16 cities and provinces was 2,213. Busan City was excluded from the count as it decided not to release real-time figures starting from the previous day (the 1st).

The number of new confirmed cases rising to the 2,000 range is the first time in three days. The daily new confirmed cases over the past week were 1,952 → 2,111 → 2,124 → 2,104 → 2,061 → 1,686 → 1,589.

The government expects the daily number of confirmed cases to increase by about two to three times the current level. Son Youngrae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said in an interview with TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' on the 1st that under the With Corona quarantine system, new confirmed cases are expected to "increase by about two to three times." Based on the 2,213 new cases on the 2nd, this could rise to 4,000?6,000 cases.

However, Son emphasized that "the nature of the confirmed cases is important," explaining that "the situation will depend on whether we can protect unvaccinated groups, the elderly, and vulnerable facilities, rather than just the increase in patient numbers."

On the first day of the phased daily recovery (With Corona) implemented on the 1st, the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, were bustling with citizens during lunchtime. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

However, even those who have completed vaccination cannot be completely reassured. Cases of breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated individuals have recently been increasing.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 2nd that the cumulative number of suspected breakthrough infection cases (infection occurring 14 days after completing vaccination) reached 23,072. This corresponds to 0.076% of the 30,376,023 fully vaccinated people in the country.

As the number of fully vaccinated individuals increases, the monthly suspected breakthrough infection cases are also rising. In July, there were about 1,180 cases, which increased to 2,764 in August, 8,911 in September, and 10,092 in October.

Among the new confirmed cases in Seoul on the 31st of last month, breakthrough infections accounted for nearly half. Park Yumi, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Citizen Health Bureau, stated at a COVID-19 regular briefing held at Seoul City Hall on the 2nd, "Among the 646 confirmed cases on October 31, 319 cases, or 49.4%, were breakthrough infections," adding that "this is higher than the national average."

As a result, even citizens who have completed vaccination are expressing concerns about the implementation of With Corona. Kim, 36, who completed the Pfizer vaccination, said, "Now, up to 10 people can gather in restaurants and bars, and everywhere is more crowded than before. With so many breakthrough infections, I don't know if continuing With Corona in this state is appropriate. I think it was a bit premature."

Meanwhile, health authorities have requested that the elderly and those with underlying conditions participate in 'additional vaccinations (booster shots)' six months after completing their vaccination to prevent fatalities caused by breakthrough infections. They also reiterated that the best prevention is vaccination and adherence to personal quarantine rules.

Hong Jeongik, head of the Vaccination Management Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Group, urged at a regular briefing, "High-risk groups such as the elderly, who are at high risk of COVID-19 infection and severe death, should make reservations according to the schedule and visit vaccination centers to receive their vaccinations."

Lee Sangwon, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the CDCH, said, "Due to excessive relief after vaccination, people may behave more boldly than before," adding, "The vaccine's preventive effect is not 100%, and personal quarantine rules must be strictly followed even after vaccination."

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