COVID-19 New Cases Yesterday 267... Severe and Critical Patients 124 (Update)

On the 1st, as the cumulative number of COVID-19 patients exceeded 20,000, citizens are waiting for testing at the COVID-19 Safe Clinic inside the Nuclear Hospital in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 2nd, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that the newly identified confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) totaled 267. Among them, 253 cases were domestic transmissions, and 14 cases were suspected to be imported from overseas. The number of critically ill and severe patients with serious symptoms reached 124, the highest level recorded since the first domestic COVID-19 cases appeared.

Considering that the daily new confirmed cases last week were in the 300 to 400 range, this represents a decrease. Although the number is slightly higher than the previous day's new confirmed cases (235), taking into account the lower number of tests conducted over the weekend and the time lag before test results are reflected in the statistics, the trend is downward compared to the end of last month. However, since the number of daily new cases has consistently remained above double digits, especially exceeding 200 cases per day for more than two weeks?a key indicator for Level 3 social distancing?the health authorities remain vigilant.

By region, Seoul reported 101 cases, Gyeonggi Province 84 cases, and Incheon 11 cases, with over 70% of cases occurring in the metropolitan area. Double-digit new cases were also reported in Daegu (13 cases), Gwangju (10 cases), and Daejeon (14 cases). During the day, 158 patients were released from quarantine, and the total number of patients currently in isolation and receiving treatment rose by more than 100 from the previous day to 4,767. Two deaths were reported the previous day, bringing the total domestic death toll to 326.

The number of critically ill and severe patients increased by 20 from the previous day, totaling 124. The recent outbreak has centered around churches in the metropolitan area, with many patients being middle-aged and elderly. The health authorities classify patients on mechanical ventilation or using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as critically ill, while those who can breathe independently but require oxygen therapy due to pneumonia or decreased oxygen saturation are classified as severe.

Even if symptoms are absent or mild at the time of confirmation, elderly patients or those with underlying conditions have a high likelihood of worsening to a critical or severe state about a week after hospitalization. Given the rapid increase in patients since mid to late last month, the number of critically ill and severe patients is expected to rise further. Previously, the highest number of critically ill patients domestically was 93 on March 23, during the peak of the Shincheonji-related outbreak.

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