COVID-19 Cases Drop Below 50 After 45 Days... "Too Early to Relax, Chuseok Is a Critical Point"

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the National Institute of Health), is holding a regular briefing on the domestic COVID-19 outbreak status and interim investigation results of confirmed cases on the afternoon of the 18th at the Korea Disease Control Headquarters in Cheongju, Chungbuk.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] The quarantine authorities stated that although the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea has dropped below 50, sporadic cluster infections continue ahead of the Chuseok holiday, raising concerns that a nationwide outbreak could occur again.

On the afternoon of the 26th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), said in a regular briefing, "The overall occurrence of COVID-19 has decreased recently, and today, for the first time in 45 days, the number of domestic cases fell below 50."

Deputy Director Kwon added, "We cannot be reassured by a single day's statistics," emphasizing, "With increased regional movement and interpersonal meetings during the Chuseok holiday, along with ongoing sporadic infections, the risk factors for a nationwide resurgence remain present."

He stated, "South Korea has been able to establish daily quarantine measures by adjusting the intensity of daily life and prevention efforts, and this must continue as our response principle," adding, "Historically, new or re-emerging infectious diseases have appeared almost every year worldwide, so it is now time to make social distancing a part of daily life."

Deputy Director Kwon also urged people to practice daily quarantine centered on social distancing not only during the Chuseok holiday but also in everyday life, saying, "When using traditional markets, department stores, marts, movie theaters, performance venues, or PC rooms, it is essential to wear masks and maintain social distancing."