"Stable Decline Due to Social Distancing, Risk Factors Remain (Update)"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government evaluated on the 21st that the occurrence of domestic cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is steadily decreasing.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, "Due to nationwide social distancing efforts, the number of domestic cases is steadily decreasing," adding, "In particular, the number of new cases in the Seoul metropolitan area falling below 50 is the first time in about 40 days since August 13."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the same day, there were 70 new confirmed cases, of which 55 were domestic cases.

Yoon said, "Although there may be an effect due to reduced testing over the weekend, considering the decrease compared to last Monday (98 cases), it is judged that the downward trend is stabilizing."

Compared to the week from August 23 to 29, when the number of cases was highest, the Seoul metropolitan area decreased from an average of 254 cases per day to 84 cases last week, and non-metropolitan areas decreased from 77 to about 24 cases.

Yoon said, "The weekly reproduction number over the past three weeks has also shown values below 1, indicating a stable situation," adding, "This achievement is thanks to the public refraining from going out and gathering, staying safely at home, minimizing contact between people, and greatly reducing the possibility of infection transmission and spread."

However, the quarantine authorities stated that risk factors remain as the proportion of cases with unknown infection routes is high and the proportion managed within the quarantine network is low.

Yoon explained, "Last week, the proportion of cases under investigation for infection routes was still high at around 20%, and the proportion managed within the quarantine network remains low," adding, "Also, with only one week left before the Chuseok holiday, a nationwide large-scale population movement is expected, which is a significant risk factor."

He said, "In this situation, easing social distancing in non-metropolitan areas is likely to cause confusion in distancing measures or increase the risk of epidemic spread," adding, "It is necessary to closely monitor the trend of decreasing confirmed cases this week and determine whether the stabilization continues."