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| A restaurant in Seoul has anti-COVID-19 guidelines posted on its door, Sunday. / Yonhap |
New virus cases rebound to over 100 again
By Kim Se-jeong
On the second day of a new social distancing scheme in place, Korea's daily COVID-19 cases bounced back to over 100, rekindling fears of another wave of infections.
According to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Korea reported 143 new COVID-19 cases, Saturday, pushing up the total number of cases to 27,427. The death toll was 478.
Saturday's total was a big jump from the previous day's 89, and a return to the triple-digit increases after two days with double-digit increases. Quarantine authorities voiced concerns over the fact that the 143 were reported when the number of virus tests is lower than usual ― testing centers close early during weekends.
The authorities also said if the total number stays above 100 for several days, they will consider imposing the Level 1.5 social distancing scheme. Currently, the entire country, except for Cheonan and Asan in South Chungcheong Province, is under Level 1, which means businesses can open as long as they check the temperatures of guests and save their personal information.
Under the Level 1.5 which signifies the pandemic is spreading across the country, multi-use outlets will be closed and nonessential outdoor gatherings be discouraged.
The new social distancing scheme was introduced to minimize the pandemic's impacts on the nation's economy which has been shrinking since January. People stopped traveling, dining at restaurants and spending money on entertainment activities, affecting countless businesses across the country.
With the new scheme, the government was ambitious that the local economy will recover faster while the virus still under control.
The Halloween weekend is still posing a threat, as major cities' clubs and bars were packed with people between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 celebrating the occasion. The virus incubation period is two weeks and those who might have contracted the virus at these outlets still have time to show symptoms.
Among 143 new cases, 118 were domestic cases while 25 involved arrivals from overseas.
Seoul alone added 54 new cases, raising the alert among the city quarantine authorities, followed by 23 cases in Gyeonggi Province, nine in Gangwon Provinces, eight in South Chungcheong Province.
The number of cases involving offices and care centers continued to increase in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.
Nine additional cases were reported from an insurance company located in Gangseo District, southwestern Seoul, which marked the total number of cases at 26.
The number of cases involving Bookook Securities in Yeoungdeungpo District spiked to 19; an elderly care center in Dongdaemun District to 34; a golf group in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to 64; and an elderly care center in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, to 90.
The virus also continued to spread in Cheonan and Asan. An additional six cases were reported in Cheonan and three new cases in Asan.
Among the 25 imported cases, 14 were detected at airports and ports, while others were detected among those in two-week self-quarantine after arrival.
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