| Members of the public wait to get COVID-19 vaccine shots at a vaccination center in Seoul's Mapo District, Wednesday. Yonhap |
Gov't to toughen social distancing rules in regions outside Seoul
By Jun Ji-hye
The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be spinning out of control here, with daily cases hitting a new record high of 1,615, Tuesday, up 465 from the previous day and the biggest daily jump since the coronavirus outbreak reached the country in January last year.
Critics said the government is to blame for the worsening COVID-19 situation as it misjudged the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus and announced a hasty decision to ease social distancing rules. They added that this delivered a misleadingly optimistic message to the people despite lingering concerns over a resurgence in infections.
The recent spike in new cases has reignited old criticism that the government failed to secure sufficient vaccines on time, and thus was unable to inoculate enough people at the earliest possible date.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported Wednesday that the country added 1,615 new COVID-19 cases including 1,568 local infections for Tuesday, raising the total caseload to 171,911 amid the ongoing fourth wave of infections driven by virus variants.
The daily figures have stayed above 1,000 for eight consecutive days, and the latest figure hit yet another new high.
Among the 1,568 local cases, 75.2 percent were reported in the Seoul metropolitan area, which includes Incheon and Gyeonggi Province.
In the middle of June, when concern arose over the highly contagious Delta variant, the government repeatedly said there would be no major problem as any such cases would be within the scope of control.
It then decided to ease social distancing measures significantly, beginning July 1, to allow more people to participate in social gatherings ― and also relaxed mask requirements as part of a new distancing system.
But there was a resurgence of infections at the end of June, especially in the greater capital area, which led to local governments in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province delaying the easing of distancing rules.
The central government eventually imposed its toughest Level 4 measures in the Seoul metropolitan area, starting Monday.
According to the KDCA, 23.3 percent of new infections were due to the Delta variant between July 4 and 10, up significantly from 9.9 percent tallied a week earlier.
KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong noted that the number of new daily cases could rise to 2,331 by mid-August if the current situation continues.
Experts said the hasty easing of social distancing may have resulted in the increased infection rates.
"There were clear signs that infections could surge again, but the government rather decided to ease distancing rules and expand vaccine incentives at a time when it should have enhanced antivirus measures. This has resulted in the lowering of people's guard against the virus," said Jung Ki-suck, a professor at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital.
The government acknowledged its misjudgment and lethargic response to the highly infectious variant.
Sohn Young-rae, a senior official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said: "We judged that there was no need to worry too much about the Delta variant as its infection rate was very low at the time. Looking back at the situation in June, we should have been more active in trying to control the variant."
| Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum speaks during a government meeting on COVID-19 responses at the Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap |
Amid growing concerns that the fourth wave of infections is already spreading from the capital region to other parts of the country, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum also said Wednesday that the government will raise social distancing measures in areas regions outside Seoul by one notch ― from Level 1 to Level 2 ― beginning Thursday.
Under Level 2, private gatherings of more than eight people are banned, while entertainment facilities, restaurants and cafes are banned from operating after midnight.
Sejong and North and South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang provinces were excluded as their situation was considered less serious, according to the health authorities.
Meanwhile, vaccine reservations for people aged between 55 and 59 were resumed Wednesday evening, two days after the system was temporarily suspended as applicants outnumbered vaccines secured by the government for that age group.
Adding to the concerns is that Cheong Wa Dae appears to be no safer, as an assistant secretary working there tested positive, according to presidential spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee. She noted that President Moon Jae-in had not come into contact with the assistant secretary.