"Confirmed Cases to Increase More Tomorrow Than Today... Likely to Rise Further Next Week" (Summary)

Unvaccinated Urged to Get Vaccinated... "Get Tested Immediately If Symptoms Appear"

On the 24th, after the Chuseok holiday ended and COVID-19 cases surged, the temporary screening clinic in front of Seoul City Hall was crowded with citizens. The Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that 2,434 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed as of midnight that day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "Tomorrow's confirmed cases may increase more than today, and next week may see even more than the week after."

Lee Gi-il, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Director of Health and Medical Policy Office), stated at the regular briefing on the 24th, "Today, the highest number of confirmed cases has been recorded," adding, "However, next week, when people who traveled to the provinces during the Chuseok holiday continue to get tested, the number of confirmed cases may increase further."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 24th, the number of confirmed cases was 2,434, marking the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak that the figure has reached the 2,400 range.

Lee said, "Many people from the metropolitan area went to their hometowns during Chuseok and returned to get tested, which has led to a significant increase in confirmed cases," and added, "We need to observe the epidemic situation more closely next week."

He urged, "To prevent further increases in cases, people with symptoms should get tested immediately and refrain from gatherings and travel," and "We repeatedly ask unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated."

Currently, there are 5.79 million unvaccinated individuals. Lee emphasized, "Only 2.7%, or 160,000 people, have made advance reservations," and "Since 90% of all confirmed cases are from unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals, we ask for vaccinations for the sake of society, yourself, and your family."

Regarding the current healthcare system's capacity, Lee explained, "If more than approximately 2,500 patients continue to occur, the burden on the healthcare system will increase," but added, "If hospital beds are secured through administrative orders in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, we can respond to more than about 3,000 patients."

'With Corona' Practical Preparations... Social Distancing Adjustments to be Announced Next Week "Comprehensive Review of Severe Case and Fatality Rates"

After the Chuseok holiday, on the 24th, the temporary screening clinic in front of Seoul City Hall was crowded with citizens as COVID-19 cases surged. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that 2,434 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed as of midnight that day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The government also stated that it is practically preparing for future 'With Corona' or 'Phased Daily Recovery' plans. Lee said, "We will prepare while fully listening to the opinions of related experts," and added, "Once opinions are organized, we plan to hold forums and public hearings."

The government plans to decide on the social distancing adjustment measures to be announced next week by comprehensively reviewing not only the number of new confirmed cases but also the severe case rate and fatality rate.

Son Young-rae, Head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said, "We need to observe and analyze the COVID-19 epidemic trend a bit more, but the government considers it most important that the spread of the epidemic shifts to a decline," adding, "Although the number of confirmed cases is increasing, the severe case rate, hospitalization rate, and ICU bed occupancy rate are not increasing proportionally to the number of confirmed cases compared to before, so when evaluating the epidemic situation in the future, the number of confirmed cases will be assessed together with the severity rate and healthcare system capacity."

Son also said, "It is currently difficult to predict the exact number of confirmed cases," and "We will monitor the situation next week, listen to the opinions of related ministries and experts, and review social distancing adjustment measures." The government plans to announce the social distancing level to be applied for two weeks starting from the 4th of next month next week.