COVID-19 New Cases 441... Highest Since Daegu Shincheonji Cluster Outbreak (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgi Na Cho] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads across the country, the number of new confirmed cases surpassed 400 on the 27th. This is the largest scale since the Shincheonji cluster infection centered in Daegu and Gyeongbuk.

With confirmed cases continuously emerging around Seoul Seongbuk-gu Sarang Jeil Church and the Gwanghwamun rally on Liberation Day, and new cluster infection cases confirmed even in non-metropolitan areas, warning signs of a 'nationwide pandemic' have been raised. The so-called 'unknown source' patients, whose infection routes are unclear, are also rapidly increasing, raising the possibility of raising social distancing to level 3. The government is reportedly seriously considering the possibility of level 3 measures.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of midnight on this day, 441 new confirmed cases were identified. The total cumulative number of confirmed cases was counted at 18,706 (2,770 imported cases).

The 441 new confirmed cases are the highest number in 173 days since March 7, when 483 cases were reported during the first wave of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji) cluster infection centered in Daegu and Gyeongbuk.

Since the metropolitan area cluster infections began in earnest on the 14th, the number of daily new confirmed cases has been in the triple digits for 14 consecutive days. From the 14th, the daily new confirmed cases were 103 → 166 → 279 → 197 → 246 → 297 → 288 → 324 → 332 → 397 → 266 → 280 → 320 → 441. During this period, a total of 3,936 new confirmed cases occurred, approaching 4,000.

Looking at the infection routes of the new confirmed cases, 434 cases occurred locally excluding 7 imported cases.

By region, new confirmed cases were concentrated in the metropolitan area with Seoul at 154, Gyeonggi at 100, and Incheon at 59. Following were Gwangju with 39, Chungnam 15, Gangwon 14, Jeonnam 13, Daegu 12, showing signs of nationwide spread. Other cases included Busan 8, Gyeongnam 8, Gyeongbuk 3, Daejeon 3, Ulsan 2, Jeonbuk 2, Jeju 1, and Chungbuk 1.

Regarding major infection cases, as of noon the previous day, a total of 933 people were confirmed positive related to Seoul Sarang Jeil Church. This church cluster infection has already spread to 23 places including medical institutions and daycare centers. Additionally, cluster infections occurred in other churches such as Lord's Church in Seo-gu, Incheon (total 30) and Galilee Church in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon (total 46).

The number of confirmed cases related to the large rally held on the 15th of this month in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, increased to a cumulative 219 by the previous day. Confirmed cases who attended this rally worshiped at Seongnim Baptist Church in Gak-hwa-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, causing a cluster infection at this church as well, with a total of 39 confirmed cases so far.

In addition, about 10 confirmed cases emerged related to a fitness center in Suncheon, Jeonnam, and an 18-month-old boy was infected in Wonju, Gangwon, confirming cluster infections even in non-metropolitan areas.

As new cluster infection cases, both large and small, continue to emerge and COVID-19 spreads in all directions, the government is considering various measures to strengthen quarantine, including the possibility of raising social distancing from level 2 to level 3.

On this day, there were 7 imported confirmed cases, among which 3 were identified during quarantine at airports or ports. The remaining 4 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Gyeonggi (2), Daegu, and Gyeongbuk (1 each).

The number of patients who have been declared fully recovered and released from isolation increased by 93 from the previous day to 14,461. Currently, 3,932 patients are in isolation, with 46 in severe or critical condition. The number of deaths increased by 1, totaling 313.

The quarantine authorities announce the daily domestic COVID-19 patient statistics based on midnight of the day at around 10 a.m. every day.

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