COVID-19 New Cases Drop to 200s but Nationwide Pandemic Concerns Remain (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joesulgina] As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads again in South Korea, raising concerns of a "nationwide pandemic," the number of new confirmed cases on the 24th slightly decreased to the mid-200s. However, since the cluster infections began in earnest on the 14th, the number of daily cases has remained in the triple digits for 11 consecutive days. The so-called "dark figure" patients, whose infection sources are unknown, are also rapidly increasing, maintaining calls for raising social distancing to level 3.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases increased by 266 from the previous day to 17,665. This is a decrease of 131 cases compared to the previous day (397 cases), dropping to the 200s for the first time in four days since the 20th (288 cases), but triple digits continued. The daily new confirmed cases since the cluster infections began on the 14th are as follows: 103 → 166 → 279 → 197 → 246 → 297 → 288 → 324 → 332 → 397 → 266, marking 11 consecutive days of triple-digit cases. During this period, the cumulative confirmed cases reached 2,895, approaching 3,000.

The decrease in new confirmed cases compared to nearly 400 cases the previous day is believed to be influenced by a reduction in testing volume during the holiday rather than a halt in the spread. As of midnight, the number of tests conducted was 13,236, about 2,000 fewer than the previous day (15,386). This is significantly lower than the weekdays of the 21st (20,040 tests) and 22nd (21,677 tests).

Looking at the infection routes of new confirmed cases, 258 were domestic transmissions and 8 were imported cases. By region, most new cases were concentrated in the metropolitan area: Seoul 97, Gyeonggi 84, Incheon 20. Following the previous day, metropolitan area infections again exceeded 200 cases. Other regions reported: Chungbuk 10, Chungnam 7, Jeonnam 7, Gyeongbuk 6, Jeonbuk 4, Busan 3. Gyeongnam, Sejong, Ulsan, and Gwangju each reported one new case. Daegu reported zero cases.

Examining specific infection cases, in addition to the existing cluster groups such as the Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, new cluster infections have been confirmed outside the metropolitan area as well. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of noon the previous day, the cumulative confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church reached 841. The 'n-th generation' infections related to the church number 112. Confirmed cases related to the large rally held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 15th of this month increased to 136 as of the previous day.

Among the 8 imported confirmed cases on this day, 4 were identified during quarantine upon entry. The remaining 4 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Sejong (2), Gyeonggi (1), and Chungnam (1). By nationality, 3 were Korean nationals and 5 were foreigners.

Combining domestic and imported cases (excluding quarantine), Seoul reported 97, Gyeonggi 85, and Incheon 20, totaling 202 cases in the metropolitan area. Non-metropolitan cases totaled 60.

The number of patients who have recovered and been released from isolation increased by 19 from the previous day to 14,219. Currently, 3,137 patients remain in isolation, with 32 in critical condition. No new deaths were reported, keeping the cumulative death toll at 309, unchanged from the previous day.

The health authorities announce daily COVID-19 patient statistics based on midnight data every day around 10 a.m.

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