Authorities Say Recent Trend Is a 'Balanced State'... Difficult to See as Declining

On the morning of the 7th, citizens continued to visit the COVID-19 testing site in Buk-gu, Gwangju to get tested. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The quarantine authorities interpret the recent COVID-19 outbreak as a balanced state where the spread neither increases nor decreases, warning that easing quarantine measures could lead to a rapid surge in cases, following the path of Japan.

On the 10th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said at a back briefing, "Confirmed cases have been decreasing until Monday and Tuesday, then rising again from Wednesday to Friday in a repeating pattern," adding, "It is difficult to judge the current situation as a clear decline; a more accurate assessment is that cases are 'not increasing.'

Regarding the current domestic outbreak situation, he explained, "It is interpreted as a balanced state where the spread neither increases nor decreases while maintaining a certain level of balance," and analyzed, "Although strong social distancing is not being implemented, seasonal factors play a significant role in maintaining this balance." He noted that as temperatures rise and outdoor activities increase, the spread is somewhat suppressed.

However, given that Japan, which has similar climatic conditions, is experiencing a recent rapid surge in cases, there are concerns that quarantine measures cannot be eased even as the weather warms. Son said, "Despite the same seasonal conditions, COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Japan currently," adding, "In mid-March, there were around 1,000 to 1,500 cases, but two months later, the number has increased to nearly 6,000, showing two instances of 'doubling' (daily confirmed cases doubling compared to the previous day)."

He stated, "If quarantine measures are eased, there is a risk that (South Korea) could experience a similar situation," and emphasized, "We must manage the current trend or maintain a more stable situation until the end of June."

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the day, the daily new COVID-19 cases were 463, the lowest level in 41 days since March 30 (447 cases). There were 436 domestic cases and 27 imported cases.

Meanwhile, the government plans to announce a comprehensive compensation plan for adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination this afternoon. Son said, "The Disease Control Agency has somewhat finalized the comprehensive compensation plan, and it is expected to be announced today (the 10th)." The Disease Control Agency plans to provide information on the plan during a regular briefing at 2:10 p.m. today.