South Korea's health authorities, on Friday, shared their belief that the third wave of Coronavirus might be underway, especially in the capital and its suburbs.
“We believe a third wave of infections is now ongoing ... in the capital region,” health ministry official Yoon Tae-ho stated.
Yoon added that the number of COVID-19 patients was rising sharply, standing at 84 on Friday.
On his part, South Korea’s prime minister Chung Sye-kyun warned the public against any social gatherings, noting that tougher measures may be needed if these severe infections are not quickly contained.
Chung called for cancelling all social gatherings, planned for this year, urging employers to encourage staff to work from home and people aged 60 and over to stay home.
“If we don’t stop this pace of spread now, in our daily lives where we could at least catch a breath will again be limited,” he told a COVID-19 response meeting.
The prime minister stressed that if the rapid spread continues in the capital and its suburbs, the health authorities shall consider raising the level of social distancing to level 2, even if the two-week period for implementing the 1.5 level set by the government has not passed.
Seoul is witnessing about 200 new infections per day, amid the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, and mass infections are discovered in other regions.
South Korea has consolidated prevention guidelines, on Thursday; however, the primary concern would be associated with bars, nightclubs, religious services and sports events allowed to open with attendance restrictions.
Follow the latest news on Google News
