[Q&A] "Easing Social Distancing and School Reopening, Risks Still Remain"

Jung Eun-kyung, Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The quarantine authorities have stated that there is still a risk regarding the reopening of schools and the easing of social distancing measures.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing on the afternoon of the 29th, "The government is closely monitoring when to ease social distancing measures." Regarding school reopening, she added, "From the quarantine authorities' perspective, it is still considered risky to hold group gatherings in enclosed indoor spaces."

The government and quarantine authorities have been implementing strict social distancing measures for two weeks since the 22nd. The scheduled end date is the 5th of next month. The following day, schools are scheduled to reopen.

Below is the Q&A with Head Jung Eun-kyung regarding social distancing and school reopening

- Although the government emphasizes strict social distancing for two weeks, the number of confirmed cases is not decreasing due to imported cases and community cluster infections. Some say that transitioning to a daily quarantine system is premature. What is the quarantine authorities' position?

▲ Looking at the current number of patients, it exceeds 100 per day. However, examining the infection routes over the past two weeks, the first and most frequent source is overseas importation. It accounts for about 40% or more of the total cases. This is considered an overseas variable. Thorough quarantine and self-isolation management of overseas entrants is the most important measure to block community transmission.

The second major source of cases is cluster outbreaks mainly in nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, or psychiatric hospitals centered in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. Since community transmission in Daegu has been ongoing for a considerable period, cases continue to be reported in these group facilities. Therefore, in Daegu, efforts such as comprehensive surveys of psychiatric hospital patients and caregivers, and focused management of already exposed nursing hospitals are ongoing to detect and manage confirmed cases early.

Besides these, religious groups and the public have been actively participating in social distancing, and strict cooperation with infection prevention rules in various multi-use facilities has significantly reduced large-scale cluster outbreaks. This is considered the result of ongoing efforts. However, when and how to ease or transition these measures will require continued monitoring of the situation next week and beyond.

From the quarantine authorities' perspective, if social distancing is eased and large gatherings or events in enclosed and close-contact settings occur, where 30-40% of attendees could be infected from one or two exposures, and early detection fails, there is always a risk of second or third waves spreading infection in the community. If large-scale events or exposure of high-risk groups such as nursing hospitals occur, many patients may arise, potentially leading to deaths. This could place a significant burden on the medical system, as seen in the Daegu case. Therefore, even if social distancing is eased, infection prevention rules must be practiced as part of daily life for a considerable period. The timing of easing is being closely monitored by the government and quarantine authorities.

- There is renewed discussion about postponing the reopening of schools. What is the Central Disease Control Headquarters' opinion?

▲ Regarding the school reopening schedule, the position is the same as for easing social distancing. The risk of large-scale amplification remains, and recently the risk from overseas importation has increased. The decision on school reopening will be made after gathering opinions from the quarantine authorities, local governments, education authorities, and parents. From the quarantine authorities' perspective, group gatherings or events, especially in enclosed indoor spaces, are still considered risky.

COVID-19 is spreading globally, and some European countries are experiencing many deaths. The collapse of medical systems has made it very difficult to treat not only COVID-19 patients but also general patients, which is confirmed daily. While Korea is preventing such explosive outbreaks, vigilance must be maintained to avoid sudden cluster outbreaks and surges in cases. To prevent cluster infections through enclosed spaces or close contact, we ask for continued participation in the currently enforced high-intensity social and physical distancing measures.