Korea's new virus cases continued to hover around 100, keeping health officials on alert especially in the runup to Halloween Holiday this weekend.
The nation reported 88 new Covid-19 cases, including 72 local infections, on Tuesday, raising the cumulative caseload to 26,043, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The agency also reported 16 imported cases, down nine from the previous day.
While the number marked a decrease from the previous day, the health authorities are struggling to contain the continued sporadic infections popping across the country.
Health officials in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, have confirmed a patient in his 50s, who went to a college-alumni friendship golf tournament last Thursday. Later, the officials have confirmed at least 11 infections among other golf tournament participants and their family members. It marked the first time that cluster infections occurred in golf meetings.
As the residents of other regions took part in the golf tournament, officials expect the number of positive cases is likely to increase.
Cluster infections linked to family gatherings and specialized training schools also continued to spread. A group outbreak from family members in Guro-gu, southwestern Seoul, has spread to a ballet academy in Bucheon. So far, authorities have confirmed at least 40 patients tied to the Guro family outbreak. Quarantine officials have also confirmed 10 new cases tied to another family infection, which occurred in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.
Heath authorities still believe the Covid-19 pandemic is at a manageable level in the country since it eased the social distancing scheme to the lowest level on Oct. 12, which allowed Koreans to resume most of their daily activities while following basic guidelines.
Previously, indoor gatherings of 50 or more people were banned, which disrupted operations of shops and restaurants. Other riskier facilities, such as clubs and karaoke rooms, were ordered to fully shut down.
Such restrictions are now lifted with some strings attached, such as requesting the facilities keep entry logs of all visitors.
Health authorities warned that the number of Covid-19 patients may rise further in sync with the rising number of travelers enjoying the autumn vacation. They are also keeping a watchful eye on clubgoers celebrating Halloween as well.
Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo reiterated that the lowered social distancing scheme does not mean the risk of infection was also low.
“After the social distancing was eased to Level One, the use of public transportation and credit card has increased, reflecting the recovery of daily movements and activities,” Park said. “We lowered the distancing level not because the risk of Covid-19 disappeared but because the nation has to seek a balance between quarantine, economy and daily life, and move toward a sustainable quarantine regime in the long term.”
Park added that if citizens don't stay vigilant, the Covid-19 virus can penetrate vulnerable places and bring about another crisis.
“It is time to comply with the quarantine regulations more thoroughly in every sector of society,” Park said.
Three more people died from the virus, increasing the death toll to 460. An additional 76 people were released from quarantine, increasing the total to 23,981. The number of patients in critical or serious condition came to 52, down one from the previous day. The country has tested 2,567,587 people since Jan. 3.