New COVID-19 Cases Exceed 300... First Time Since Early March (Update)

Due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the areas densely populated with small business owners in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province continue to experience a recession. On the 21st, the area around Cheonggyecheon Tool Market in Jung-gu, Seoul, showed a deserted scene. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea increased by 324 on the 21st. The 324 new cases mark the first time in 166 days since March 8 that the daily cases have reached the 300s, representing the highest number recorded. The number of locally transmitted cases also set a new record.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on that day, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose by 324 from the previous day’s midnight count to 16,670.

New cases have been in the triple digits daily since the 14th, with a cumulative total of 1,900 cases over the past eight days.

Regarding the infection routes of the new cases, 315 were locally transmitted and 9 were imported from overseas.

Among the locally transmitted cases, 125 were in Seoul, 102 in Gyeonggi, and 17 in Incheon, totaling 244 cases in the metropolitan area. Other cases were reported in Chungnam (11), Gangwon (9), Busan (8), Gyeongbuk, Jeonnam, and Daejeon (6 each), Gwangju and Jeonbuk (5 each), Gyeongnam and Daegu (4 each), Chungbuk and Sejong (3 each), and Ulsan (1) among other regions.

Of the 9 imported cases, 3 were detected during quarantine upon entry. The remaining 6 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Chungnam (2), Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, and Gyeonggi (1 each).

Combining locally transmitted and imported cases (excluding quarantine detections), Seoul had 126 cases, Gyeonggi 103, and Incheon 18, with the metropolitan area accounting for 247 cases, or 76% of the total. Cases were reported in 16 cities and provinces nationwide.

The number of patients who have recovered and been released from isolation reached 14,120, an increase of 57 from the previous day. The death toll rose by 2 to 309.

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