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| A boy gets a flu shot at a local clinic in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap |
By Kim Se-jeong
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Tuesday that 102 new COVID-19 infections were reported for Monday, a return to triple-digit cases on the day social distancing guidelines were eased and reigniting concerns that it was too early to lift the restrictions.
On Monday, the social distancing guidelines were lowered to Level 1 allowing people to pursue normal daily activities.
Chun Eun-mi, a pulmonologist at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, said the government had eased the social distancing restrictions prematurely.
"I think there is still a danger. We have many imported cases now. When you look around in Korea, you still see sporadic cases from daycare centers, the military, family gatherings and social meetings. So, we're not at a stage to feel safe," she said.
The government defended its move saying the uptick was not a result of easing the social distancing rules.
"We don't view the soaring number is related to the eased social distancing rules, The government has come to conclude cautiously that we managed to contain the virus spread linked to the Chuseok holiday because people respected the restrictions." Kwon Joon-wook, a senior official responsible for Korea's response to COVID-19 said.
At the same time, he said, "In Seoul and the metropolitan area, the potential danger for another outbreak still exists. It's not the time to let your guard down. We strongly urge you to stay vigilant and be cautious."
According to the KDCA, Korea's total number of COVID-19 infections has reached 24,805, with 434 deaths.
Among the 102 new cases, 33 were imported including 14 Russians, mostly sailors, five Japanese, four Nepalese and four Americans. The number of cases involving Nepalese nationals grew for the second day. On Monday, 11 Nepalese students were confirmed to be infected.
Among the 69 domestic cases, nine were linked to a Daejeon family of seven who contracted the virus after a Chuseok holiday trip to North Gyeongsang Province. The total number of patients linked to the initial seven is now 27.
The local government in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, said it was working to find a list of people attending a religious gathering held in the city last weekend. No COVID-19 cases have been reported yet, but the local quarantine authorities projected the event could result in another outbreak.
The gathering reportedly had 300 participants who sat shoulder to shoulder in a closed space for hours. Many wore masks, but they even shared bedrooms at night and sang songs during the gathering.
On Tuesday, the government resumed its free flu vaccination program for children between 13 and 18 years old ― the program was suspended after a vaccine batch was exposed to room temperatures during transport.
For those 62 years or older, the free shots will be available later this month.
Also, it's now mandatory to wear masks at high-risk facilities, such as hospitals, elderly care facilities and on public transportation. Those who don't follow the rules can be fined up to 100,000 won.
Mandating masks was one of the essential government measures to prevent the spread of the virus, but the government has had difficulty handling people refusing to wear them. Imposing the fine is enabled by a law revision which went into effect Tuesday. The first 30 days will be a probationary period.
