'Cluster Infections Continue' Impact: 48 New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed... 27 in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (Comprehensive)

40 Local Cases and 8 Imported... Ongoing Cluster Infections in the Capital Area and Daejeon

Two patients hospitalized at Guro Yes Hospital in Guro-gu, Seoul, have been confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and on the 21st, the hospital entrance was firmly closed for temporary closure. Health authorities are focusing on the possibility of infection occurring within the hospital and are currently testing 180 people, including medical staff and inpatients. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As the domestic cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue, the number of new confirmed cases recorded 48 on the 21st.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on that day, 48 new COVID-19 cases were added, bringing the total cumulative confirmed cases to 12,421. This is 19 fewer than the 67 new cases reported the previous day.

Since the beginning of this month, the daily new confirmed cases have fluctuated between 30 and 50 due to the spread of cluster infections in the metropolitan area, and exceeded 60 for the first time the day before. However, the number dropped back to the high 40s on this day.

Among the 48 new confirmed cases, 40 were locally transmitted and 8 were imported from overseas. Of the 40 local cases, 16 were in Seoul and 8 in Gyeonggi Province, totaling 24 new cases in the metropolitan area. Additionally, 10 more cases were confirmed in Daejeon, where a recent cluster infection occurred. One new case each was reported in Daegu, Gwangju, Sejong, and Chungnam.

The continued spread of local infections appears to be the result of ongoing cluster infections in the metropolitan area and Daejeon. As of noon the previous day, the number of infections related to Lotte Confectionery logistics in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province increased by 10, bringing the cumulative total to 15. Regarding the door-to-door sales company Richway in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 6 additional cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of infections to 193. Four more cases were added related to a milling company in Geumcheon-gu.

The cluster infection at the door-to-door sales company in Daejeon appears to have spread beyond Daejeon to various regions nationwide, including Sejong, Gyeryong, Gongju, Nonsan, and Cheongju. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of noon the previous day, 16 additional cases were confirmed related to three door-to-door sales companies in Seo-gu, Daejeon. This brings the cumulative total to 40 cases.

The number of imported cases was significantly reduced to 8 compared to 31 the previous day. Four cases were confirmed during quarantine, and the remaining four were confirmed while self-isolating at individual residences or temporary living facilities after entry.

However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues worldwide and the domestic agricultural season begins, the number of foreign workers entering the country is increasing, leaving the possibility of a rapid increase in imported cases again.

Meanwhile, no additional deaths were reported the previous day, keeping the total at 280.

The number of recovered and released patients increased by 12 the previous day, bringing the total released from isolation to 10,868.

The number of confirmed cases currently in isolation and receiving treatment increased by 36 to 1,273. Among them, 991 patients are in the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon.

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