Raising the Highest Infectious Disease Alert Level... Authorities "Will Review After Investigations in Daegu and Jongno" (Update)

Patients with Unknown Infection Routes Increasing and Cluster Infections Becoming a Reality
Central Disease Control Headquarters "Government Consultation Based on Investigation Results"

On the 19th, when the possibility of COVID-19 spreading in the community is increasing, a temporary closure notice is posted at the Seongdong 4th Industrial Revolution Experience Center in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The quarantine authorities announced that they will discuss raising the infectious disease crisis alert to the highest level based on the epidemiological investigation results of COVID-19 patients with unknown infection routes.

On the 19th, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing, "We will closely analyze and consult on the investigation results of Daegu, where multiple patients have been confirmed, and the contacts and infection routes of patients No. 29 and 30 currently under investigation in Jongno-gu."

The current government crisis alert level is the third level, "Warning." Initially, the interest level was lowered as cases increased in China, then raised to "Caution" when the first domestic patient was confirmed on the 20th of last month. On the 24th of last month, when the fourth patient was confirmed, the alert was raised to the current "Warning" level. The level above this is "Serious," which was previously enacted during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. During the peak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, when patients and deaths occurred consecutively, the alert level was also at "Warning."

According to the authorities, if a newly introduced infectious disease from overseas spreads to the local community or nationwide, the "Serious" alert level can be declared. In such cases, a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters led by the Prime Minister or the Minister of the Interior and Safety is formed, and government-wide response measures are strengthened. If the current situation is designated as a social disaster, the budget and manpower allocated will also be expanded accordingly. However, the government has stated that it is already responding actively at a level close to "Serious," and the quarantine authorities are concerned about causing excessive public anxiety.

At the local government level, there are also open calls to raise the COVID-19 response level. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said at an emergency meeting on the same day, "We have practically requested the government to raise the crisis alert to the 'Serious' level." On the same day, Jung Won-oh, mayor of Seongdong-gu, Seoul, where the 40th patient resides, announced that the district office will raise its crisis response level to "Serious" and temporarily close all public facilities such as sports centers, libraries, daycare centers, and senior citizen centers.