South Korea had been held aloft as a model for how to defeat the coronavirus pandemic with a “trace, test and treat” approach and strong public support for social distancing and mask wearing.outbreaks outside mainland China, but South Korea brought it broadly under control before a second wave, which was also defeated.“The capital area is now a COVID-19 war zone,” Health Minister Park Neung-hoo warned Monday at a government meeting.
The weekend numbers followed several days in which authorities reported figures ranging from about 500 to 600. “Unless the outbreak can be contained now, it has come to the critical point of considering escalating social-distancing measures to the next level.” A medical professional take samples from people in Seoul, South Korea. Picture: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty ImagesHowever, authorities said Saturday they may have to tighten the curbs further to the highest level by closing schools, banning gatherings of more than 10 people and allowing only essential employees to offices.