"Small Cluster Outbreaks Continue, Fatality Rate Over 20% in Those Aged 80 and Above... Heightened Vigilance Needed" (Update)

On the 8th, citizens lined up to receive diagnostic tests at the screening clinic of Eunpyeong-gu Public Health Center in Seoul, where a small-scale cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was reported to have occurred in a cathedral. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Sporadic clusters of COVID-19 continue to occur in university hospitals in Seoul, logistics centers, religious facilities, and small gatherings. Additionally, the fatality rate among COVID-19 confirmed cases aged 80 and above has exceeded 20%, prompting health authorities to strongly urge special protection for high-risk groups.

Clusters of Various Sizes, Additional Confirmed Cases Continue to Emerge

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 10th, the number of confirmed cases related to the Liberation Day rally in downtown Seoul increased by 6 as of 12 PM, bringing the total to 557.

At Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, after 2 confirmed cases were reported on the 9th, the number of related patients increased to 17 by noon today. A CDCH official stated, "Confirmed cases occurred in two places: the hospital nutrition team and the rehabilitation ward," adding, "We are investigating the connection between the two locations."

Additional confirmed cases are also emerging among contacts in facilities where cluster infections or multiple confirmed cases had previously occurred. Regarding the Illyeonjeongjong Seoul Buddhist Mission in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 6 more people tested positive during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 20.

One more confirmed case was added related to the Coupang logistics center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, increasing the total to 13. Confirmed cases linked to a mountain hiking club caf? in the metropolitan area rose by 14, totaling 29.

In Jongno-gu, 8 workers responsible for park and green space management at the district office tested positive. In Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, a cluster infection occurred involving Bokyung Textile and a goshiwon (small lodging). Since the first confirmed case on the 7th, 7 additional contacts tested positive, bringing the total to 8. In Bucheon-si, 11 confirmed cases were reported mainly linked to door-to-door sales companies 'TR Innovation' and 'Sara Queen.'

The impact of cluster outbreaks continues outside the metropolitan area as well. Related to a health food seminar in Daejeon, 14 additional confirmed cases were reported, increasing the total to 39. This includes cases linked to a well-being sauna in Daejeon and a foreign exchange trading seminar in Asan, Chungnam Province.

In Buk-gu, Gwangju, 4 more confirmed cases related to a market restaurant were reported, totaling 27. Confirmed cases related to Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan also increased to 12 as of noon today.

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters [Photo by Yonhap News]

Fatality Rate Over 20% for Those Aged 80 and Above, Elderly Urged to Exercise Caution

According to the CDCH, among the 346 COVID-19 deaths in the country as of midnight today, 335 (96.8%) had underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Deaths by age group are as follows: 176 aged 80 and above, 106 in their 70s, 42 in their 60s, and 22 aged 50 or below. The fatality rates were 20% for those aged 80 and above, 6.31% for those in their 70s, and 1.25% for those in their 60s. Among the 169 severe and critical patients, 39 were aged 80 and above, 67 in their 70s, and 38 in their 60s, with those aged 60 and above accounting for 85.2%.

Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook of the CDCH said, "Since mid-April, the number of cases among elderly patients with underlying conditions has been low, but since mid-August, the increase has become steep," adding, "It is a time when we all need to raise awareness to protect high-risk groups."

Deputy Director Kwon also urged, "We are seeing fatalities that inevitably follow after a time lag from the spread of the epidemic," and requested, "Please focus on practicing social distancing so that the current downward or suppressed trend in confirmed cases stabilizes more quickly."

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