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Seoul – South Korea is grappling with a double whammy of untraceable rising Covid-19 cases and a surge in critically ill patients as the total infection count crossed the 20,000 mark for the first time due to a new wave. of cases.
Once hailed as a role model for successfully curbing the outbreak with aggressive contact tracing and massive testing, the country is now struggling to cope with new infections.
More than a fifth of the cases reported in the past two weeks cannot be traced, the highest to date, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
This makes it difficult for health officials to conduct epidemiological studies and quarantine close contacts who may also be infected, to prevent them from spreading the virus.
In addition, four out of 10 cases do not have any symptoms.
Observers said these unknown cases could be somehow related to the Aug. 15 demonstration at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, which has so far resulted in 422 infections.
Some 50,000 people from all over the country participated in the rally, but not all of them have gone to test.
Hundreds of members of the Sarang Jeil Church, which organized the rally, remain uncontactable. The church, which has more than 4,000 members, has since reported 1,080 cases, including its pastor.
The city of Seoul ordered bus rental services to begin collecting passenger data, as many of them transport people going to mass religious events and demonstrations.
The inability to trace contacts may cripple South Korea’s preparedness against Covid-19 at a time when its medical facilities are struggling to cope with mounting cases.
The country reported 235 new cases on Tuesday (September 2), bringing the total to 20,182. About a quarter of those that emerged last month, linked to a new wave of infections that sent daily numbers to more than 100 since Aug. 14. The death toll was 324 as of Tuesday.
Health officials have warned that the country is running out of medical professionals who can treat critically ill patients due to an indefinite strike by doctors-in-training since August 21. They are protesting against the government’s plans to reform the healthcare system.
This is concerning as the number of critically ill patients has risen to 104 as of Monday, compared to just nine on August 18. Patients aged 60 and over, many with underlying health problems, accounted for more than 30 percent of the latest cases. week, health officials said.
So far, there are only 43 beds available nationwide to treat seriously ill patients, including nine in Seoul. The occupancy rate of hospital beds reserved for patients in Seoul and the Seoul metropolitan area has reached 76%.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry has warned that stricter social distancing measures will hurt the economy.
The new restrictions that took effect last Sunday, dubbed Level 2.5 in a three-tier system, include the closure of private academies and indoor sports facilities. Cafe chains were also ordered to switch to takeout and a 9 p.m. limit was imposed on dining at all restaurants to discourage social gatherings by young people who account for nearly 40 percent of cases detected this week. pass.
During a briefing with senior officials on Tuesday, Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom promised that the government will strengthen support measures to help people cope with the economic fallout. This could include a second round of emergency brochures, after the government distributed “disaster relief funds” worth 14.3 trillion won (S $ 16.40 billion) to all households in may.
Central bank data shows that the South Korean economy contracted 3.2% in the second quarter, the steepest contraction since 2008. Exports fell for six consecutive months.
Meanwhile, many people take no chances and decide to stay home.
Communications manager John Lee, 32, told The Straits Times that he and his wife decided to self-quarantine along with their 14-month-old son after returning to Seoul from a short vacation in eastern Gangwon province last week. pass.
“We just stay home and order food,” said Lee, who has been working from home since March. “We used to eat at good restaurants, but now I just use the food delivery app.”
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