Confirmed Cases Back to 500s After Four Days... Spread Intensifies One Day Before Suneung Exam

356 Cases in the Seoul Metropolitan Area... Accounting for 72% of Domestic Cases
Experts Say "Post-Suneung Quarantine Is More Important"
Calls for Strengthening Social Distancing Measures

On the 2nd, the preliminary gathering day for the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees are waiting to receive their admission tickets at Sunrin Internet High School in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 2nd, one day before the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose again to the 500s after four days.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, among the new confirmed cases, 493 were domestic infections and 18 were imported cases. Although the number of confirmed cases dropped to the 400s due to a decrease in diagnostic tests over the weekend, the number of confirmed cases reached 511 on this day, raising concerns about further spread. Considering the trend that the number of confirmed cases usually peaks on Wednesdays and Thursdays during weekdays, it is expected that the spread will not easily subside for the time being.

In particular, confirmed cases are concentrated in the densely populated metropolitan area, and double-digit confirmed cases are occurring in non-metropolitan areas due to cluster infections. By region, Seoul reported 192 cases, Gyeonggi 143, and Incheon 21, totaling 356 cases in the metropolitan area, accounting for 72% of domestic confirmed cases.

Outside the metropolitan area, Busan has the highest number of confirmed cases at 31. Other regions reporting cases include Jeonbuk 26, Chungbuk 16, Gangwon 12, Gwangju 10, Sejong and Gyeongnam 7 each, Ulsan and Chungnam 6 each, Daejeon 5, Daegu and Gyeongbuk 4 each, Jeju 2, and Jeonnam 1, with confirmed cases emerging across the country.

On the afternoon of the 1st, two days before the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, medical staff are working in the COVID-19 situation room at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. This space is scheduled to be used as the comprehensive situation room for the exam day. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to set up exclusive testing centers for confirmed examinees at Seoul Medical Center and Namsan Life Treatment Center, and 22 exclusive testing centers for self-quarantined individuals. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Experts view the effect of the two previous increases in social distancing levels in the metropolitan area as minimal and have called for additional elevation as a preemptive measure. In the recent week (November 26 to December 2), the average daily number of new confirmed cases was 498.4, approaching 500, and the average daily number of locally transmitted cases, a key indicator for adjusting social distancing levels, was 471.9, already meeting the criteria for level 2.5.

Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said, "The increase in confirmed cases back to the 500s means that the effects of levels 1.5 and 2 were not significant," adding, "The important thing is to secure the public's motivation to participate in quarantine efforts, but by not preemptively raising the level and instead introducing additional measures separate from existing standards like '2+α,' the motivation to participate has been weakened."

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Currently, 65,154 tests are awaiting results, and the positivity rate calculated based on the previous day's number of tests is rising to 2.22%, so the 500-level confirmed cases may be just the tip of the iceberg," adding, "With 101 critically ill patients increasing to triple digits and concerns about bed shortages growing, the authorities seem to be taking the situation lightly."

Experts emphasized that more focus should be placed on quarantine measures after the CSAT rather than before. Professor Lee said, "Looking at past cases, there have not been many situations where confirmed cases surged sharply during large events like elections or exams," adding, "Since students who have finished the CSAT still have interviews and essay tests remaining, quarantine measures should be prepared to ensure they are not adversely affected."