Concerns over a second wave of coronavirus are growing in South Korea amid a spike of cases after nightclubs reopened.
South Korea’s government had felt confident enough to reopen much of its economy after several weeks of seeing cases increase by just a handful each day. But on Monday, new cases jumped by at least 35 after the outbreak in the nightclubs, which have been temporarily closed down again.
A balancing act continues to play out across the world, with leaders starting to loosen lockdowns that have left millions unemployed while also warning of the threat of a second wave of infections.
In the US, government officials spoke optimistically about a relatively quick rebound from the virus. But life within the White House reflected the stark challenges still posed by the pandemic, with vice president Mike Pence “self-isolating” after one of his aides tested positive.
Seoul’s mayor said 85 infections are linked to the outbreak and health workers are still trying to contact more than 3,000 people of the 5,500 who recently visited the nightspots.
In China, despite the new cases raising concerns about a reignited outbreak, 82,000 school students in Beijing returned to classes on Monday to prepare for exams. And Shanghai Disneyland, closed since late January, reopened with reservations required and social distancing measures in place. Visitors wearing masks and often Mickey Mouse ears or character costumes were checked for temperatures at the gate.
“I think you’re going to see a bounceback from a low standpoint,” said Mr Mnuchin, speaking on Fox News Sunday.
But the director of the University of Washington institute that created a White House-endorsed coronavirus model said the moves by states to reopen businesses “will translate into more cases and deaths in 10 days from now”.
Mr Pence’s move came after three members of the White House’s coronavirus taskforce placed themselves in quarantine after coming into contact with the aide.
A US government official said Mr Pence was voluntarily keeping his distance from other people and has repeatedly tested negative for Covid-19 since his exposure.
