"90% Hospital Bed Occupancy and Confusion Over Quarantine Pass" Japanese Media Focus on South Korea's Infection Situation

Citing Health Authorities Data on Current Situation
Asahi: "Most Severe Patients Are Elderly in Seoul"
Nikkei: "Server Down Due to Surge of Vaccine Pass Users"

Noon scene on the 15th at Myeongdong Street, Jung-gu, Seoul. As the spread of COVID-19 worsens, the government is effectively halting the phased recovery of daily life and is considering the implementation of stronger quarantine measures. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Japanese media have begun to focus on reporting the COVID-19 infection situation in Korea. These outlets cited data from health authorities to analyze Korea's daily confirmed cases and hospital bed occupancy rates, while also detailing the confusion that occurred on the ground regarding the implementation of the "quarantine pass (vaccination certificate/negative test confirmation)" policy.

On the 15th (local time), Japanese media such as NHK and Asahi Shimbun reported, citing data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, that the daily number of COVID-19 cases in Korea reached a record high.

NHK reported, "According to Korean health authorities, the number of new COVID-19 cases reached 7,850, breaking the previous record," adding, "The number of critically ill patients was also the highest, and in Seoul, where cases are concentrated, the occupancy rate of severe patient beds is at 90%."

Asahi Shimbun also reported that the Korean government decided to withdraw the existing "gradual daily recovery (With Corona)" policy and re-strengthen social distancing measures.

On the afternoon of the 14th, a patient is being transferred from an ambulance that arrived at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, a hospital dedicated to COVID-19 treatment. / Photo by Yonhap News

The media stated, "The Korean government is reportedly adjusting measures to limit private gatherings to up to four people in the Seoul metropolitan area and significantly shorten business hours for restaurants and other establishments."

They also pointed out the serious shortage of hospital beds for patients in Seoul, noting, "Most severe patients are elderly residents of the Seoul metropolitan area. The bed occupancy rate in Seoul is approaching 90%, and the number of deaths is increasing."

Nikkei speculated that most of the current domestic COVID-19 spread is due to the "Delta variant." The outlet reported, "The cumulative number of infections from the new variant 'Omicron' is only 128. Most infections appear to be from the conventional Delta variant and others. Cluster infections are occurring in elderly facilities, workplaces, restaurants, and apartments."

Regarding the quarantine pass policy and related confusion on the front lines, Nikkei also reported, "The quarantine pass system, which verifies QR codes displayed on smartphones, experienced server crashes on the 13th due to a large number of users."

They added, "Since many of the infected in Seoul are fully vaccinated, voices questioning the effectiveness of the quarantine measures are growing."

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response at the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 16th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, according to health authorities, as of midnight on the 16th, the number of new confirmed cases was 7,622, and the number of critically ill patients was 989, approaching the 1,000 mark.

As infections worsened, reaching 5,000 to 7,000 cases after the implementation of "With Corona" which eased quarantine measures, the government decided to re-strengthen social distancing.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum explained the reason for strengthening the quarantine guidelines at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the government Seoul office that day: "The government is making every effort to expand medical capacity and promote vaccination to overcome the current quarantine crisis. However, this requires time, and we judged that only by quickly suppressing the spread through strong social distancing can we overcome this critical phase."

Specifically, private gatherings in both the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas are limited to a maximum of four people regardless of vaccination status.

Restrictions on indoor business operating hours will also resume. Entertainment facilities, restaurants, cafes, karaoke rooms, bathhouses, and indoor sports facilities may operate only until 9 p.m., while movie theaters, performance halls, arcades, multi-rooms, casinos, PC rooms, academies, and party rooms may remain open until 10 p.m.

Large-scale events and assemblies are also restricted. Only fully vaccinated individuals may participate in events and assemblies with 50 or more people, with a maximum capacity of 299. However, gatherings or events with fewer than 50 people may be held regardless of vaccination status.

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