COVID-19 New Cases 168... 'Three Consecutive Days Over 100' (Comprehensive)

Continued Spread Centered in the Capital Region
51 Cases in Seoul, 50 in Gyeonggi, 14 in Incheon Reported

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 5th that there were 168 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea. Two more people have died from COVID-19.

On the morning of the 4th, medical staff at the screening clinic of Chonnam National University Hospital in Dong-gu, Gwangju, are preparing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Looking at the infection routes of the new confirmed cases, 158 are locally transmitted, and 10 are imported from overseas. The cumulative number of confirmed cases is 21,010, and 333 people have died from COVID-19 so far.

The daily new confirmed cases have remained in the 100s for three consecutive days. Previously, the daily new confirmed cases surged to the 400s on the 27th of last month, then decreased to the 300s for two days on the 28th and 29th, and further dropped to the 200s for four days from the 30th to the 2nd.

The number of severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients increased by 2, reaching a total of 159.

Examining the local transmission situation, 51 cases occurred in Seoul, 50 in Gyeonggi, and 14 in Incheon, showing that the spread centered in the metropolitan area continues. Following that, there were 10 cases in Busan, 8 each in Gwangju and Gyeongnam, 5 in Daegu, 4 in Chungnam, 3 in Gangwon, 2 each in Daejeon, Chungbuk, and Jeonbuk, and 1 each in Ulsan and Jeju.

The health authorities remain vigilant despite the new confirmed cases staying in the 100s. This is because the proportion of 'unidentified patients' with unknown infection routes continues to exceed 20% daily, and the number of severe and critically ill patients is also on the rise.

Secondary infections related to churches in the metropolitan area and urban rallies continue, and sporadic regional outbreaks are steadily confirmed in places such as tertiary hospitals, indoor pojangmacha (tent bars), and health supplement seminars.

The number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church increased by 13, bringing the cumulative total to 1,152. Infections related to the large-scale rally on Gwangbokjeol (Liberation Day) also increased by 11, with 473 confirmed cases across all 14 cities and provinces nationwide. In Seoul, cluster infections in medical institutions continued at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu (cumulative 6 cases) and Hyemin Hospital in Gwangjin-gu (16 cases).

Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), regarding the spread of COVID-19, said, "Although the number is decreasing to around 200, it is not a stage to be complacent," and urged continued compliance with the extended 'social distancing' measures.

Director Park said, "Cluster infections in medical institutions and nursing facilities, where the highest priority protection targets such as patients and the elderly reside, are causing concern for the health authorities," adding, "Cluster infections in medical institutions and nursing facilities can progress to severe or fatal situations and can place a greater burden on the medical system that must treat patients."

He requested, "Staff members should once again check whether quarantine rules such as managing visitors, refraining from gatherings, and rapid testing of symptomatic individuals are being properly implemented," and said, "Visitors should actively cooperate with the medical staff's quarantine measures."

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