From Jesa Family Gatherings to Year-End Parties... Concerns Over COVID-19 Resurgence

3 More Cases Including 3 from Jesa Gathering in Changwon, Gyeongnam Confirmed
Family Gathering COVID-19 Spread Emergency...Health Authorities "Avoid Gatherings"
Experts "Avoid Meetings and Get Tested if Symptomatic"

Secondary infections are spreading following a family gathering for ancestral rites in Changwon, Gyeongnam, where relatives tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] There is growing concern about a resurgence of COVID-19 infections as clusters of confirmed cases are occurring mainly around family gatherings, including ancestral rites. The possibility of spread has increased due to the relaxation of social distancing measures and the rise in various small-scale gatherings. Experts recommend avoiding 3Cs (crowded places, close-contact settings, and confined spaces) environments and strictly adhering to personal quarantine guidelines, as confirmed cases are emerging primarily from various gatherings.

Recently, COVID-19 has been spreading through family gatherings. In Changwon, Gyeongnam Province, 10 family members and relatives who gathered for ancestral rites tested positive for COVID-19.

On the 26th, Gyeongnam Province announced in a briefing that a woman in her 30s (Gyeongnam case 304), a woman in her 60s (305), a girl under 10 years old (306), a woman in her 50s (307), a man in his 60s (308), and a woman in her 50s (309), all residents of Changwon, tested positive for COVID-19. They were relatives who attended the ancestral rites in Changwon.

According to the province, a total of 13 people attended the ancestral rites: 9 family members from within Gyeongnam and 4 family members visiting from Goyang City. Among them, 10 people tested positive, including 6 family members from Gyeongnam and 4 from Goyang City.

The problem is that cluster infections originating from family gatherings tend to spread to acquaintances and coworkers. This is why there is concern that COVID-19 spread through family gatherings could lead to 'Nth generation infections.'

As of 10 a.m. on the 27th, the province reported that 4 additional people tested positive for COVID-19: 3 from Changwon, including a woman in her 20s, and 1 woman in her 50s from Tongyeong.

The 3 new confirmed cases in Changwon (Gyeongnam cases 311, 313, 314) are secondary infections; they are acquaintances who had contact with 2 of the 6 people (cases 304 and 309) who tested positive after attending the Changwon ancestral rites.

Regarding the Changwon ancestral rites, the province is currently testing a total of 349 people, including 204 contacts and 145 individuals exposed to the movement paths.

Cluster infections from family gatherings other than ancestral rites have also continued. In Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, a total of 14 people have been confirmed infected since the first case was reported on the 22nd. This is a case where infections spread from a family to acquaintances and their workplaces.

On October 31 last year, when the Halloween festival was held, a busy street in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. A large crowd gathered to enjoy the festival. Photo by Kay Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

Moreover, with Halloween approaching on the 31st, there is concern that gatherings among young people in their 20s and 30s will increase.

Consequently, the police plan to intensively monitor whether quarantine rules are being followed at bars and clubs in areas such as Hongdae and Itaewon in Seoul.

The police will check whether entertainment establishments comply with the following during Halloween: △ occupancy limits (1 person per 4 square meters), △ mask-wearing, △ electronic or handwritten entry logs, and △ disinfection and ventilation of the premises.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 pandemics are already ongoing in various parts of the world, including the United States and Europe, raising renewed anxiety.

In the United States, new cases have surged to record highs, and some regions are experiencing shortages in medical facilities. On the 27th (local time), CNN reported that the 7-day average of daily new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. reached 69,967, the highest since the pandemic began. Additionally, some local governments are reimposing lockdown measures.

The situation in Europe is even more severe. Countries such as Italy and Spain are strengthening lockdown measures one after another, and Germany is reportedly considering restrictions on restaurant and bar operations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also issued warnings about the resurgence of COVID-19. WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said in an interview with the BBC that "new daily cases are increasing by one-third across Europe," and "deaths have increased by nearly 40% compared to the previous week."

Harris emphasized, "WHO does not want entire countries to be locked down," but added, "To protect the economy, health must also be protected. Clear guidelines for those in self-quarantine and daily monitoring by authorities are necessary."

Given this situation, voices are growing louder urging people to avoid all activities that could trigger a resurgence, such as gatherings and outdoor activities, and not to lower their vigilance. This is because if COVID-19 resurges again after just regaining stability, the resulting damage will be borne by the public.

Health authorities have also requested that scheduled gatherings be minimized for the time being. At a briefing on the same day, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "This winter will be the second and last winter to overcome COVID-19 through social distancing alone," and urged, "It is best to refrain from year-end and New Year gatherings and various event-type meetings as much as possible."

Experts also advise refraining from various gatherings and getting tested immediately if any symptoms appear.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "I have repeatedly warned that if social distancing is eased before the incubation period has fully passed, confirmed cases could surge again," and advised, "Since cases are still emerging, if attendance is not essential, risky places should be avoided." He added, "After lowering the social distancing level to Level 1, people are gathering in clubs, pubs, and outdoors. High-risk places involving close contact must be avoided. To prevent spread, anyone with symptoms should get tested immediately."