Overseas Imported Infections Surge... 57.8% of Cases Imported from Asia Outside China

The arrival hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Min Jun-young Intern Reporter] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surges worldwide, cases of imported infections into South Korea are also increasing.

The health authorities explained that imported confirmed cases tested positive during quarantine procedures or self/facility isolation, so the possibility of community spread is minimal.

However, as the number of confirmed cases has surged since July, concerns about domestic transmission are rising.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 14th, as of midnight the previous day, the cumulative number of imported confirmed cases was 1,872.

Among them, a total of 443 imported confirmed cases occurred from the 27th of last month to the previous day.

Cases imported from Asian regions other than China accounted for 256, or 57.8%.

By country, confirmed cases from Kazakhstan were 97, the Philippines 37, Pakistan 22, and Kyrgyzstan 17, in that order.

All these countries are known to have severe COVID-19 situations locally, and the impact appears to be affecting South Korea as well.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, as of the 12th, Kazakhstan had a cumulative 58,253 confirmed cases and 352 deaths.

The Philippines recorded a total of 54,222 confirmed cases and 1,372 deaths.

As COVID-19 spreads globally, the daily new confirmed cases worldwide surged from 1,232 on March 1 to 72,045 on April 1.

Thereafter, the numbers increased to 83,271 on May 1, 104,195 on June 1, and 169,401 on the 1st of this month, recently exceeding 200,000.

With the rise in imported infections, health authorities are preparing measures focusing on airport and port quarantine.

Since the 9th, the authorities have mandated that regular flights arriving from four 'strengthened quarantine target' countries?Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan?operate with seat occupancy rates below 60%.

Additionally, re-entry permits are restricted for departures to these countries, and starting from the previous day, all foreigners entering from these countries are required to submit a negative PCR test certificate.

Furthermore, all foreign crew members entering through ports are subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine in temporary living facilities.

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