Suncheon-si, COVID-19 Case Increase Slows Down... Just a Little More

Mayor Heo Seok, Tears Shed as Decline Continues After Level 2 Restriction Upgrade

This graph shows the status of confirmed COVID-19 cases from Shinhan Bank since the first case was reported on the 7th until the 25th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] On the 19th, after Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon tearfully raised the social distancing level to 2?the first city nationwide to do so since the subdivision?there is cautious analysis that the spread of COVID-19 in Suncheon is somewhat slowing down.

The increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases in Suncheon has clearly declined since the 22nd.

After reaching a peak with 20 confirmed cases (numbers 139?146) on the 20th, the number of new cases dropped to 8 (147?154) on the 21st, 3 (155?157) on the 22nd, 3 (158?160) on the 23rd, 3 (161?163) on the 24th, and 2 (164?165) on the 25th, showing a definite slowdown in the rise of confirmed cases.

Additionally, it has been reported that most of those recently confirmed positive were diagnosed while under self-quarantine.

The local COVID-19 infections in Suncheon began on the 7th, 66 days after September 3rd, with the 74th confirmed case linked to Shinhan Bank.

Unlike the first crisis, the current COVID-19 situation in Suncheon shows that the virus has deeply penetrated everyday spaces such as families, acquaintances’ gatherings, sports facilities, saunas, workplaces, schools, and villages, rather than spreading from a few facilities or groups.

In other words, with multiple infections, an increase in cases with unclear infection sources, and asymptomatic transmission, no one knows when, where, or from whom they might be infected, resulting in 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases over 19 days.

On the 11th, Suncheon was the first in Gwangju and Jeonnam to raise social distancing to level 1.5.

Then, on the 17th, Suncheon took a leading administrative role by implementing strengthened social distancing level 1.5, but it could not overcome the rapid transmission of COVID-19.

On the 19th, Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon tearfully raised social distancing to level 2, becoming the first city nationwide to raise it to level 2 since the subdivision of social distancing measures.

Suncheon’s prompt administration and active participation of its citizens are seen as factors that will hasten overcoming COVID-19.

Suncheon citizens are diligently wearing masks and practicing social distancing, and small business owners, despite difficult economic conditions, are voluntarily closing their businesses or shortening operating hours, all contributing to overcoming COVID-19.

Citizen A said, “Let’s endure just a little longer,” and added, “Suncheon will definitely overcome COVID-19.”