"This Year Was Supposed to Get Better..." Citizens Feel 'Empty' as the '4th Wave' Approaches

700 New COVID-19 Cases... Highest in 91 Days
Jung Sye-kyun: "COVID Situation Like a House on Fire... If Spread Isn't Controlled, 4th Wave Will Come"
AZ Vaccine Temporarily Suspended
Experts: "4th COVID-19 Wave Has Already Begun"

On the 7th, citizens are lining up to get tested at the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "I thought things would get better this year, but it feels futile."

As large and small cluster infections continue nationwide, the number of new COVID-19 cases surged to 700 on the 8th. After peaking at 869 cases on January 7 during the '3rd wave,' the numbers had been declining, but they have risen back to the 700s after 91 days, raising concerns that the '4th wave' might be becoming a reality.

In particular, public anxiety is growing amid ongoing controversies over blood clot formation following AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine administration. Experts say signs of the 4th wave are already appearing and have proposed stronger social distancing measures.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting at the Government Seoul Office, "The number of COVID-19 cases is increasing day by day, and since yesterday, it has surpassed the 600 mark. If we fail to stop the spread here, the 4th wave could become a reality, a truly 'precarious' crisis."

He added, "Cluster infections are occurring regardless of whether it is the metropolitan area or other regions. The prolonged accumulated fatigue from quarantine measures is also a risk factor that cannot be overlooked as it reduces the effectiveness of on-site compliance."

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 700 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 107,598. This is 32 more than the previous day (668). Of the new cases, 674 were locally transmitted and 26 were imported. The number of local cases remained in the 600s for the second consecutive day, following 653 cases the day before.

As a result, citizens expressed anxiety over the rising number of confirmed cases. Office worker Kim (29) said, "I had hoped that once vaccines were introduced, the number of cases would drop significantly and we could return to the days without masks. But seeing the number of cases not decrease but increase, I felt disheartened."

He added, "These days, I wonder if COVID-19 will ever end. It’s exhausting that high-intensity distancing policies are only implemented after case numbers rise significantly each time."

University student Jung (25) said, "Last winter, when cases exceeded 1,000, I was scared and barely went outside. I felt somewhat relieved as cases decreased compared to winter, but now that cases are suddenly rising again, I’m scared. Especially during previous waves, there were clear causes like the Itaewon cluster, Shincheonji, and Sarang Jeil Church, but this wave has no clear cause, which makes it scarier. It means you never know when you might get infected."

The Gwangju Buk-gu Vaccination Center (Jeonnam National University Buk-gu National Sports Center), which was scheduled to administer the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine to special and educational workers starting the morning of the 8th due to the suspension and delay of AZ vaccine inoculations, appears quiet.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The problem is that prolonged social distancing has led to accumulated fatigue among citizens, dulling their vigilance toward quarantine measures. Sporadic infections are occurring in everyday settings such as small gatherings, workplaces, and entertainment facilities, and with increased movement due to spring outings, health authorities remain on high alert.

The dulled awareness of quarantine guidelines is also reflected in related statistics. According to data received by Lee Young, a member of the People Power Party, from local governments nationwide and 17 metropolitan governments, there were 3,914 violations of social distancing rules from February last year to February 15 this year, about one year.

Among these, bans on gatherings of five or more accounted for 62.8% (2,457 cases). Considering the recent increase in cases, violations are expected to have risen further.

In particular, public anxiety has grown as the domestic vaccination plan has been disrupted due to the recent 'blood clot' controversy surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Earlier, the government postponed the AstraZeneca vaccination schedule for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school health teachers, and special school staff, which was set to begin on the 8th, citing concerns over blood clot side effects. Vaccinations for those under 60 currently underway were also put on hold.

Given this situation, citizens predict that herd immunity will not be achieved this year. The government had previously aimed to establish herd immunity by the end of November.

Another office worker, Jeon (25), said, "It seems difficult to take off masks this year. Even if things proceed as planned, herd immunity will be delayed due to some citizens not getting vaccinated, and now with the vaccination suspension, the timeline for herd immunity will be pushed back further."

Experts have assessed that signs of the start of the 4th COVID-19 wave are already appearing. Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 7th and said, "Signs of the 4th wave have been appearing since last week, and it seems the start of the 4th wave is now officially underway. It is difficult to predict how severe the 4th wave will be."

He continued, "Even if social distancing levels are raised, the effects appear after 2 to 3 weeks, so when adjusting the distancing level, especially when raising it, a quick and stronger step-up is necessary."