This week crucial to make or break virus control
South Korea is engaged in an uphill battle against COVID-19. The number of new daily infections has remained in the triple digits for two weeks. This has prompted the health authorities to enforce far stricter social distancing measures in a desperate bid to contain the resurgence of infections.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 299 new cases Sunday with the total caseload spiking to 19,699. The daily number went below 300 for the first time in five days. It surged to 441 last Thursday, the highest since Feb. 29 when the first viral wave reached its peak, hitting the southeastern city of Daegu with infection clusters at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
The decline can be attributed to the country's strenuous efforts against COVID-19. But nobody can breathe a sigh of relief just yet. There are persisting concerns that new cases could resurge again anytime. That is why KCDC Director Jung Eun-kyeong warned Friday that we could see new patients in the order of 2,000 emerging daily. Her warning certainly reflects how difficult it is to win the fight against the virus.
The situation could be aggravated even further. The accumulated cases linked to Sarang Jeil Church, a Presbyterian denomination in northeastern Seoul, have surged to 1,018. Infections related to a mass anti-government rally Aug. 15 keep rising. Still, some churches have refused to follow a ban on prayer services, some of which have resulted in outbreaks across the country. Also worrisome is that the number of elderly patients with higher health risks has jumped, while there is an upsurge in patients whose infection route cannot be traced. All these show that the virus has become more widespread in our communities than ever before.
Against this backdrop, the authorities have implemented stricter social distancing rules, which were raised to Level 2 under the three-tiered system Aug. 16. On Friday, the government decided to enforce Level 2 for one more week until Sept. 6. On top of this, the government has begun to restrict operations of restaurants, bakeries and franchise coffee chains in Seoul and the metropolitan area.
Under the strengthened guidelines, restaurants and bakeries are allowed to operate until 9 p.m., while only takeout and delivery are permitted from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Only takeout and delivery are allowed in franchise coffee chains. Also, indoor sport facilities are required to suspend operation. Cram schools are permitted to give only online lectures.
Such measures fall short of the highest Level 3 rules. The Moon Jae-in administration is still reluctant to turn to the next level, fearing it could devastate the economy. But the question is whether the country can defeat the virus with Level 2 measures. This week will be a crucial moment for this tricky question.