New COVID-19 Cases at 288... Over 200 for Three Consecutive Days

1,576 New Cases in One Week
Counted in 15 Cities and Provinces Nationwide Except Ulsan and Jeju

On the 20th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, banners reading "Stop acts defaming Sarang Jeil Church" are hung in an alley near Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Jo Hyun-ui] On the 20th, the newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were counted at 288. This marks the third consecutive day with the number exceeding 200, continuing the critical phase of the second wave. As cluster infections spread mainly in metropolitan area churches, 276 cases were domestically transmitted, and 12 cases were suspected to be imported. Patients appeared in 15 provinces nationwide except Ulsan and Jeju, making the nationwide spread more evident.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on this day, the new confirmed cases were 288, bringing the total domestic cases to 16,346. The number of new cases has been in the triple digits for a week since the 14th, with a cumulative total of 1,576 cases during this period. While infections spreading from metropolitan area churches such as Sarang Jeil Church have been confirmed nationwide, the number of confirmed cases among contacts in sporadic infection clusters is steadily increasing.

The cumulative cases in the metropolitan area including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon reached 5,150, surpassing 5,000 for the first time in seven months since the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. This accounts for about one-third of the nationwide confirmed cases. The number of patients currently isolated and under treatment increased to 1,976, as new confirmed cases outnumber those who have recovered and been released from isolation by several times. Just ten days ago, the number had decreased to the low 600s, so this is more than a threefold increase. Unlike previous outbreaks such as Shincheonji Church of Jesus or Itaewon clubs, the recent cluster infections centered on churches have a higher proportion of middle-aged and elderly patients, raising concerns about fatalities.

In the metropolitan area, about 80% of the 340 beds designated for severe patients were occupied as of the 18th. Since the number of new cases is expected to remain steadily in the triple digits for the time being, securing hospital beds has become urgent. The health authorities have taken preemptive measures by preparing residential treatment centers capable of accommodating more than 2,000 patients to treat mild and asymptomatic cases.

Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "We will expand beds in infectious disease-dedicated hospitals to the maximum extent possible and cooperate with hospitals equipped to treat severe patients to increase the number of beds."

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