COVID-19 Cases Surge by 279... Emergency as Spread Escalates in the Capital Area

267 Local Cases, 12 Imported Cases
134 Confirmed Cases Related to Sarang Jeil Church
'Social Distancing' Raised to Level 2

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) exploded in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, the daily number of confirmed cases exceeded 200 on the 16th.

Infections are rapidly spreading through metropolitan churches such as Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and simultaneous outbreaks are occurring in workplaces and coffee shops.

Although the 'social distancing' level in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas was raised to level 2 from this day, concerns are growing that the spread in the metropolitan area could escalate into a nationwide pandemic.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director Jung Eun-kyung) announced that as of 0:00 on August 16, 267 new domestic confirmed cases and 12 imported cases were confirmed. The total cumulative number of confirmed cases is 15,318 (including 2,642 imported cases).

There were 9 newly released from isolation, bringing the total number released to 13,910 (90.81%), and currently, 1,103 people are in isolation. There are 13 severe or critical patients, and no deaths were reported, with the cumulative death toll at 305 (fatality rate 1.99%).

Looking at the new domestic confirmed cases by region, Seoul reported 141 cases, Gyeonggi 96 cases, totaling 237 cases from these two regions alone. The rest were 8 in Incheon, 7 in Gwangju, 6 in Busan, 5 in Chungnam, and one each in Daegu, Ulsan, Chungbuk, and Gyeongnam.

As of 2 p.m. the previous day, the number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, rose to 134. At Yongin Uri Jeil Church, 33 additional infections were confirmed, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 105.

On this day, 12 imported confirmed cases were reported, similar to the previous day (11 cases). They tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Seoul (5), Gyeonggi and Ulsan (2 each), and Incheon, Busan, and Gyeongnam (1 each).

On the 19th, congregants at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, are holding a worship service despite restrictions. On this day, Sarang Jeil Church conducted an on-site worship service starting at 11 a.m. Although the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued a ban on gatherings until this day after filing charges for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act last month, the church has continued to hold on-site worship services every week. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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