KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — South Korea reported 34 new Covid-19 cases today, making it the highest daily number reported in a month.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), 26 cases were local transmission and eight were imported. It is the highest since April 9.
Despite earning much praise and success in its handling of the outbreak where there were either few or no local cases reported in the past 10 days, the government is now forced to deal with a recent resurgence of cases. This growing outbreak seems to be centred around a group of nightclubs in Seoul.
South Korea has been viewed as a model for other countries to emulate as it was able to significantly reduce its caseload despite not imposing nationwide lockdowns.
The country has been able to rely on an extensive and comprehensive testing programme which has been able to trace and quarantine those infected and their contacts. It has tested more than 655,000 people or more than 12 700 tests per million individuals.
Nevertheless, this recent development has underlined the need for countries to be prepared for a resurgence despite achieving reductions in cases.
This new development indicates the possibility of emerging new clusters.
South Korea is currently easing restrictions and aims to fully reopen schools and businesses.
The Japan Times has reported that President Moon Jae-in warned of a second wave of the epidemic later in the year.
“It’s not over until it’s over. While keeping enhanced alertness till the end, we must never lower our guard regarding epidemic prevention,” he said in a recent televised speech.
