COVID-19 New Cases 371, Back Below 400... Nationwide Spread Continues (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has spread across the country, with 371 new confirmed cases recorded on the 28th. Although the number fell below 400 again after a day, it continued to maintain three digits for 15 consecutive days since the metropolitan area cluster infections began in earnest on the 14th. The total number of new confirmed cases during this period reached 4,307. The government, which was considering the 'social distancing level 3 upgrade' card, decided to extend 'level 2' for one more week to monitor the situation further.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters announced that as of midnight on this day, 359 new domestic confirmed cases and 12 imported cases were confirmed. The total cumulative number of confirmed cases was counted at 19,077 (2,782 imported cases). The daily new confirmed cases decreased somewhat after exceeding 400 the previous day.

However, with confirmed cases continuously emerging around Seoul Seongbuk-gu Sarang Jeil Church and the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally, and new cluster infection cases confirmed outside the metropolitan area, concerns about a 'nationwide pandemic' remain.

Since the metropolitan area cluster infections began in earnest on the 14th, the daily new confirmed cases were 103 → 166 → 279 → 197 → 246 → 297 → 288 → 324 → 332 → 397 → 266 → 280 → 320 → 441 → 371. The total number of new confirmed cases during this period was 4,307.

Looking at the infection routes of the new confirmed cases, 359 cases occurred locally excluding 12 imported cases.

On this day, new confirmed cases were identified in all 17 cities and provinces. By region, 146 in Seoul, 113 in Gyeonggi, and 27 in Incheon, with new confirmed cases concentrated in the metropolitan area. Next were 17 in Gwangju, 12 in Jeonnam, 9 in Chungnam, 8 in Daegu, 8 in Busan, 5 in Chungbuk, etc. Daejeon and Gangwon each had 3, Gyeongnam, Jeju, Sejong, and Jeonbuk each had 2, and Ulsan had 1 case.

In particular, the cumulative confirmed cases in the metropolitan area reached 7,200, surpassing Daegu for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. Seoul had 3,532, Gyeonggi 2,997, and Incheon 671 cases. This is 193 more than Daegu (cumulative 7,007), where a large number of confirmed cases occurred due to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji) Daegu church cluster infection.

Regarding major infection cases, as of noon the previous day, a total of 959 people were confirmed in connection with Seoul Sarang Jeil Church. This church cluster infection has already spread to 23 places including medical institutions and daycare centers. Regarding the large-scale rally held on the 15th in Seoul Gwanghwamun and other places, a total of 273 people were confirmed in 13 cities and provinces nationwide. At Gwangju Seongnim Baptist Church, where rally participants attended worship, a total of 31 people have tested positive so far.

On this day, 12 imported confirmed cases were reported, of which 8 were identified during quarantine inspections at airports or ports. The remaining 4 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Gyeongnam (2), Seoul, and Gyeonggi (1 each).

The government decided to maintain the metropolitan area social distancing level 2 measures, which are set to end on the 30th of this month, for one more week. Although there are many demands to raise social distancing to level 3, it is interpreted as a decision to monitor the situation considering the significant economic impact. Instead, they plan to review strengthening quarantine measures for restaurants and cafes beyond the existing level 2.

The decrease in new confirmed cases below 400 on this day is also believed to be influenced by a slight reduction in COVID-19 diagnostic tests the previous day due to factors such as typhoons.

The number of patients who have been declared fully recovered and released from isolation increased by 90 from the previous day to 14,551. Currently, 4,210 people are in isolation. The number of severe and critical patients is 58. The death toll increased by 3 to a cumulative total of 316.

The quarantine authorities have been announcing daily domestic COVID-19 patient statistics based on midnight data every day around 10 a.m. The announcement time has been moved forward to 9:30 a.m. starting from this day.

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