Covid-19: the third epidemic wave firmly anchored in the country
Faced with the renewed epidemic of Covid-19, passers-by are all masked in this Seoul station on November 30, 2020 (illustrative image).
REUTERS - KIM HONG-JI
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
This Sunday, December 13, South Korea reported 1,030 new cases of coronavirus.
This sad record illustrates Seoul's difficulties in containing its third epidemic wave.
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In South Korea, the renewed epidemic in Seoul and its region has surprised the country in recent weeks, and has forced President Moon Jae-in to apologize, in a post on Facebook, about the difficulties his government is facing. to this new wave of coronavirus.
However, the country had long been set up as a model for managing the health crisis, thanks to a very thorough strategy of tests and tracing of people who came into contact with patients, but also a great respect for instructions. social distancing.
A "
very serious
" situation
On December 12, Moon Jae-in spoke of a "
very serious
" situation, as South Korea announced 950 new infections, which was already a record since the start of the pandemic.
A day later, authorities reported 1,002 new cases of local transmission, and 28 new imported cases.
Nearly 800 of the new cases have been recorded in the Seoul area, which is home to half of the country's population.
The increase observed this weekend comes after a series of days when the number of new cases hovered between 500 and 600, and despite a tightening of restrictions ordered this week in the area of the capital.
Events, especially sporting events, cannot accommodate more than 50 people or spectators, cafes can only serve take-out drinks, and restaurants must close at 9 p.m.
"Trace, test, process"
South Korea was one of the countries first affected by the Chinese-born pandemic at the start of the year.
But she had almost come to the end with her system of "trace, test, treat", without ever having to impose the brutal confinements of Europe or other regions of the world.
(
with AFP
)
►
Read also: Covid-19: in South Korea, a third wave more difficult to control
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