COVID-19 Cases Decrease but Anxiety Remains... Sparks of Relief in In-Person Worship, Variants, and Tension Easing

Variables in the First Weekend of In-Person Religious Services... Social Distancing and Quarantine Rules Must Be Followed

The temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza was quiet on the 24th, as the domestic situation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) showed a gradual decline. The Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that as of midnight, 392 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 75,084. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has dropped to the 300s, showing signs of the 'third wave' slowing down. However, this decline is largely influenced by the number of diagnostic tests being reduced to about half compared to the previous day due to the weekend. Additionally, since this weekend is the first one after in-person worship services at religious facilities were officially permitted, there are concerns that the number of confirmed cases may increase again in the future.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 24th, as of midnight, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases was 392, down by 39 from the previous day. On the previous day, the number of suspected case tests was 24,642, and the number of tests conducted at temporary screening clinics was 13,003, totaling 37,645 tests. Compared to the 74,184 tests conducted the day before, this is about half, indicating that the weekend decrease in diagnostic testing has influenced the reduction in confirmed cases.

The health authorities acknowledge that the recent daily confirmed cases recording in the 300-400 range shows a slowdown in the momentum of the third wave. However, since it is the winter season when the virus tends to spread more actively and in-person worship services have been fully allowed at religious facilities where cluster infections were frequent, they remain vigilant.

Earlier, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters finalized social distancing adjustment measures on the 16th, allowing indoor sports facilities, which were previously subject to gathering bans, to operate under compliance with quarantine rules. This weekend, in the metropolitan area, in-person worship services at religious facilities are allowed up to 10% of seating capacity, and up to 20% in non-metropolitan areas, leading to more active in-person worship services at churches and other places.

Kwon Jun-wook, the second deputy director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing the day before, "The most important factor and the most dangerous aspect in terms of quarantine is how well the distancing rules and personal hygiene rules are followed at various facilities and places, especially religious facilities, which have led the recent outbreaks."

On the 24th, as the domestic situation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows a gradual decline, hand sanitizers are provided at Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The variant viruses originating from the UK and South Africa are also among the major variables. As variant viruses from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil spread worldwide, research results are emerging that they affect not only the speed of infection transmission but also the severity of the disease.

Deputy Director Kwon said, "Currently, the basic reproduction number (R0) in Korea is about 0.82, but even if the current level of social distancing is maintained, if the UK variant spreads widely domestically, it will immediately rise to 1.2," adding, "This means we could return to the nightmare situation of mid-December last year."

To prevent the spread of variant viruses, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency secured COVID-19 variants from the UK and South Africa on the 21st. They are culturing the variant strains and conducting related experiments, with results expected before the Lunar New Year holiday.

The government plans to monitor the confirmed case situation this week and review whether to extend the current social distancing and the ban on gatherings of five or more people, which are set to expire on the 31st of this month.

Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "Although the recent trend of confirmed cases is decreasing, there is no significant difference in absolute numbers compared to the second wave," adding, "It is too early to lower social distancing measures temporarily." The decrease from four-digit to three-digit new confirmed cases may feel like a reduction, but the situation remains critical.

Deputy Director Kwon also emphasized, "There is still silent transmission and hidden infections in the community, especially in places like religious facilities and nursing hospitals where many cases have occurred before," and stressed, "Continued strict social distancing and compliance with quarantine rules are necessary."