48 Confirmed Cases at Daegu Entertainment Venues... Total Increases by 57 in One Day
Stock photo. An entertainment district in the city center. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Can't you just hold back on drinking and partying a little?" "Isn't the coronavirus spreading again?"
As the number of COVID-19 tests decreased over the weekend, the number of new confirmed cases dropped back to the 500s in a single day. However, cluster infections in local areas continue, raising concerns that COVID-19 might spread again, especially in provincial regions.
According to the Daegu Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 23rd, as of midnight, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 57 from the previous day to a total of 9,685. By district, there were 21 cases in Dalseo-gu, 10 in Nam-gu, 9 in Dalseong-gun, 8 in Buk-gu, 6 in Suseong-gu, 2 in Dong-gu, and 1 in Seo-gu.
Among the new confirmed cases, 48 are related to a cluster infection at a nightlife establishment. Including cases transferred from other regions to Daegu, the cumulative related cases have risen to 117.
Of these, 42 are foreign employees, and 9 are Korean employees. Fifty-four are patrons of the establishments, and the remaining 12 are classified as secondary infections. The number of establishments with confirmed cases increased by two from the previous day, totaling eight locations.
Citizens are expressing frustration. There is anxiety that COVID-19 might be spreading again. Mr. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "Since people at nightlife venues gather closely, the chance of catching COVID-19 is higher. Because they want to drink and party, others have no choice but to live in fear."
Another company employee in his 30s, Mr. Lee, called for strong penalties. He said, "Shouldn't the government impose strict sanctions? It's not just a day or two; everyone has adapted and is wearing masks, but this is really too much," he criticized.
This is not the first time someone who frequented nightlife establishments during the COVID-19 spread phase tested positive. In April last year, a confirmed COVID-19 case occurred at a nightlife venue in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Around the same time, confirmed cases also emerged among citizens who visited nightlife establishments in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.
Moreover, the nature of nightlife establishments contributed to this COVID-19 spread. The reason why visiting nightlife venues carries a high risk of COVID-19 infection is due to the "3Cs" (Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact settings). Also, while enjoying drinking and dancing inside these venues, people inevitably remove their masks, leaving them virtually defenseless against the virus.
Because of this, the government has continuously urged compliance with quarantine rules. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) has repeatedly requested people to refrain from visiting nightlife establishments.
At a regular briefing on May 8, the CDSCH emphasized, "Please refrain from using indoor multi-crowded facilities such as nightlife establishments or clubs. If unavoidable, we earnestly ask you to strictly follow quarantine rules such as leaving visitor records, maintaining a distance of 1 to 2 meters, and wearing masks."
Meanwhile, as the situation worsened, Daegu City issued an administrative order from the 22nd to the 30th to prohibit gatherings at about 3,300 nightlife facilities in the city and mandated diagnostic testing for workers. Kim Heung-jun, head of Daegu City's Hygiene Policy Division, stressed, "We have formed a special task force, and if administrative orders are violated at nightlife facilities, criminal charges will be filed, and if COVID-19 transmission occurs, we plan to claim damages."
It is the first time since March 31 last year (60 cases) that Daegu recorded 57 confirmed cases in a single day. Currently, 243 confirmed patients are undergoing isolation treatment, admitted across nine hospitals nationwide.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
