Concerns Over 'COVID-19 December Resurgence' as Cases Rise Again

Chairman Jeong Gi-seok "Expected to hit a low point of 20,000 and then increase again"

On the 7th, ahead of the Hangul Day holiday, Gimpo Airport's domestic terminal in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is bustling with travelers. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the decline in the resurgence of COVID-19 shows signs of stagnation, there is a forecast that a '7th wave' could occur again in early December. It has been pointed out that high-risk groups need to prepare through additional vaccinations.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters and local governments on the 18th, the number of new confirmed cases nationwide from 0:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the 17th was 31,702, which is 16,727 more than the same time on the 10th a week ago (14,975), an increase of 2.1 times in scale.

Even considering the reduced number of diagnostic tests due to the substitute holiday for Hangeul Day last week, if the additional confirmed cases until midnight on that day are added, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of 0:00 on the 18th will increase further, showing a rebound close to 'doubling.'

The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, which had been decreasing for seven consecutive weeks since last September, has shown a slight increase since the latter part of last week. The number of new confirmed cases recorded was 23,583 on the 14th → 22,844 on the 15th → 21,469 on the 16th → 11,040 on the 17th, which corresponds to increases of 1.06 times, 1.18 times, 1.22 times, and 1.23 times respectively compared to the same day of the week a week earlier.

Jung Ki-seok, head of the COVID-19 Special Response Team and member of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, stated at the advisory meeting briefing the day before, "The weekly average daily confirmed cases at the 20,000 level will mark the lowest point of the wave and then shift to an increasing trend." He explained that the current decline in the wave has stopped and is in a stagnant phase, and as the number of people with waning immunity increases, the wave will rise again. He also pointed out that countries with considerable vaccination rates such as Italy, Germany, and France are showing increasing trends, and based on this, he predicted, "There is a possibility that a full-scale resurgence will occur in early December in our country as well."

Jung emphasized, "Of course, there are opinions that the resurgence may be delayed or may not come, but preparations should be somewhat excessive and thorough," and urged, "High-risk groups whose immunity may decline in early December need to get vaccinated." This applies to those who had their last vaccination before August or were infected with COVID-19 before June. Jung added, "This year, the flu vaccine should be combined with the COVID-19 vaccine," and said, "If you get both vaccines together, you will be able to get through this winter well and welcome a bright spring day."

Meanwhile, at the 7th advisory meeting held on the 13th, there was an opinion that the COVID-19 epidemic situation should be closely evaluated and analyzed to consider adjusting the infectious disease crisis stage and grade. Currently, the infectious disease crisis stage is at the 'serious' level among the levels of interest, caution, alert, and serious.

Regarding this, Jung said, "There are concerns that it would be difficult to disband the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters because public interest is still high and multiple ministries need to cooperate," and added, "Rather than specifying the timing of adjustment, if many people receive the improved vaccine during the winter season and make the 7th wave very mild, a phased relaxation can be sufficiently considered even before the 7th wave." He continued, "Ultimately, as we pass through this winter, we need to establish a system that allows us to transition to a general medical care system so that COVID-19 can be treated like flu treatment, which will prevent confusion on the ground."

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