18 New COVID-19 Cases... Spread of 'Itaewon Club' Cluster Infection (Comprehensive)

17 Local Community Infections, 1 Imported Case
Zero Deaths for Two Consecutive Days

On the afternoon of the 7th, reporters are covering the scene in front of a club in Itaewon, Seoul, where a COVID-19 confirmed patient had visited. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea increased by 18. Among them, 17 were community infections and 1 was imported from overseas. There are concerns that the number of confirmed cases may rise again due to the cluster infection that occurred at clubs in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 9th at midnight that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 18 from the previous day’s midnight, reaching 10,840.

According to the CDCH announcement, the daily number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases has remained below 20 for 22 consecutive days since entering the double digits with 18 cases on the 18th of last month.

Among the 18 new confirmed cases on this day, 17 were classified as community infections occurring domestically. Of these 17, 16 cases were from the Seoul metropolitan area: 12 in Seoul, 3 in Gyeonggi Province, and 1 in Incheon. The remaining 1 case was reported in Busan.

The cluster infection of COVID-19, which began spreading again after patient number 66 in Yongin (age 29) visited clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, appears to be spreading mainly in the metropolitan area.

One imported case was reported in Gyeonggi Province.

However, no additional deaths occurred for two consecutive days. The total number of deaths stands at 256, with an average fatality rate of 2.36%. The fatality rate increases with age: 2.73% for those in their 60s, 10.85% for those in their 70s, and 25.00% for those aged 80 and above.

By gender, female confirmed cases number 6,434 (59.35%), exceeding male cases at 4,406 (40.65%), but the fatality rate is higher in males at 3.02% compared to females at 1.91%.

By age group, those in their 20s account for the largest share with 2,979 cases (27.48%), followed by those in their 50s with 1,958 cases (18.06%). Next are the 40s with 1,438 cases (13.27%), 60s with 1,355 cases (12.50%), and 30s with 1,177 cases (10.86%).

The number of recovered and released from isolation increased by 84 to 9,568. The recovery rate stands at 88.3%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.