COVID-19 New Cases 323, Over 300 for Two Consecutive Days... Nationwide Spread Continues (Comprehensive)

Seoul 125, Gyeonggi 104, Incheon 20... Concentrated in the Capital Area
Deaths Increase by 5, Total 321

Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response at the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 29th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, the number of new confirmed cases recorded 323 on the 29th. This marks the second consecutive day with numbers in the 300s, continuing a three-digit streak for 16 days since the metropolitan area cluster infections began in earnest on the 14th of this month. The quarantine authorities will implement strengthened measures equivalent to 'Social Distancing Level 2.5' in the metropolitan area starting at midnight on the 30th.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on this day, 308 new domestic cases and 15 imported cases were confirmed. The total cumulative number of confirmed cases was tallied at 19,400 (including 2,797 imported cases). The daily new confirmed cases slightly decreased from 371 the previous day but remained in the 300s for the second consecutive day.

In particular, confirmed cases continue to surge daily centered around the Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and the Gwanghwamun rally on Liberation Day, with infection cases also confirmed outside the metropolitan area, maintaining concerns of a 'nationwide pandemic.'

Since the metropolitan area cluster infections began in earnest on the 14th, the daily new confirmed cases have been 103 → 166 → 279 → 197 → 246 → 297 → 288 → 324 → 332 → 397 → 266 → 280 → 320 → 441 → 371 → 323, totaling 4,630 new cases during this period.

Regarding the infection routes of new confirmed cases, excluding 15 imported cases, 308 cases occurred locally.

On this day, new confirmed cases were identified in 13 cities and provinces. By region, Seoul had 125 cases, Gyeonggi 104, and Incheon 20, concentrating new cases in the metropolitan area. Following were Gwangju with 16, Gyeongnam 12, Jeonnam 9, Chungnam 8, Busan, Daegu, and Chungbuk with 6 each, Daejeon 4, and Gyeongbuk and Jeju with 1 each. No new confirmed cases were reported in Ulsan, Sejong, Gangwon, or Jeonbuk.

Notably, the cumulative confirmed cases in the metropolitan area reached 7,449. Seoul had 3,657, Gyeonggi 3,101, and Incheon 691. This is 436 more than Daegu (cumulative 7,013), where a large number of cases occurred due to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus cluster infection.

Looking at major infection cases, as of noon the previous day, a total of 978 people were confirmed positive related to the Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul. This church cluster infection has already spread to 25 places including medical institutions and daycare centers. Regarding the large-scale rally held around Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 15th of this month, a total of 294 people were confirmed across 13 cities and provinces nationwide.

Other cluster infections continue, including an apartment in Guro-gu, Seoul and a livestock company in Geumcheon-gu (33 cases), the Infinite Group in Gwanak-gu (66 cases), Bitgaon Church in Nowon-gu (17 cases), and Donggwangju Table Tennis Club in Gwangju (14 cases). Additionally, new cluster infection chains have emerged such as the prayer meeting at Seoul Theological Seminary in Dongjak-gu, Seoul (7 cases), Seohaero Church in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (5 cases), and a guesthouse in Jeju (3 cases).

Among the 15 imported confirmed cases, 5 were identified during quarantine inspections at airports or ports. The remaining 10 were confirmed positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Gyeonggi (4), Gwangju (2), and Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk (1 each).

The death toll increased by 5 to a cumulative 321 (fatality rate 1.65%). The number of newly released from isolation was 214, bringing the total released to 14,765 (76.11%), with 4,314 currently in isolation. The number of severe or critical patients is 64.

The government decided to maintain the Social Distancing Level 2 measures in the metropolitan area, which were set to end on the 30th, for an additional week. In particular, strengthened quarantine measures equivalent to 'Level 2.5' will be implemented in the metropolitan area.

Accordingly, starting at midnight on the 30th, franchise cafes located in the metropolitan area will be limited to takeout and delivery only, and restaurants will only be allowed to operate takeout and delivery services after 9 p.m. Gyms, billiard halls, golf practice ranges, and other sports facilities will be closed, academies will switch to non-face-to-face classes, and study cafes and reading rooms will cease operations.

The quarantine authorities announce daily domestic COVID-19 patient statistics based on midnight of the day every morning.

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