New Cases Increase 13-Fold in 2 Weeks... Outbreak Clusters Triple, Undetected Cases Double as Well

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Briefing
New Cases, Clusters, and Unknown Infection Chains All Increasing
"Critical Situation... If Not Controlled, Social Distancing Level 3"

Comparison of COVID-19 Quarantine Management Status

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The average daily number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea over the past two weeks was recorded at 162.1. Compared to the previous two weeks when the figure was around 12, this represents an increase of more than 13 times. The total number of cluster outbreaks and the proportion of patients with unknown infection routes also increased significantly.

On the 23rd, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reviewed the domestic quarantine management situation over the recent two weeks (August 9?22) and reported these findings. In particular, the average daily number of new domestic cases in the Seoul metropolitan area was 136.7, a sharp rise compared to the previous two weeks (July 26?August 8), when it was 10.2. This is believed to be due to cluster outbreaks centered around metropolitan churches such as Sarang Jeil Church and gatherings that spread nationwide.

The number of patients with unknown infection routes also surged. Among the 2,440 new confirmed cases during this period, 451 cases (18.5%) had unknown infection routes. In the previous two weeks, out of 470 total patients, 39 cases (8.3%) were of unknown origin, showing a significant increase. The number of new outbreak clusters also rose from 9 to 30 during the same period. The proportion of cases managed within the quarantine network fell below 80% again.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters’ quarantine team, said at a briefing that "the high risk of infection spread was confirmed over the past week," and added, "We consider this a very precarious situation standing on the threshold of a full-scale resurgence not only in the metropolitan area but nationwide."

He continued, "If the current spread trend does not subside within this week, the quarantine authorities will have no choice but to consider raising the alert to Level 3, which is a very serious situation," emphasizing, "Level 3 escalation means the suspension of all daily activities except essential social and economic activities, which would have a fatal impact on the entire public and economic activities and inevitably cause painful consequences for everyone."

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