The proportion of patients with 'unknown infection routes' at 27.4%... Slight decline after reaching a record high

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] The proportion of COVID-19 patients in South Korea with unknown infection routes has slightly decreased.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 20th, among the 1,798 newly confirmed cases reported to health authorities over the past two weeks from the 6th of this month to today, 493 cases, or 27.4%, are still under investigation for their infection routes.

Nearly 3 out of 10 patients still have unknown details about when, where, and from whom they were infected.

The proportion of cases with unclear infection routes began to gradually increase since mid-last month and recently surged to nearly 30%. Looking at daily figures from the 15th, the rates were 25.0% → 25.4% → 26.4% → 26.8% → 28.1% → 27.4%, setting new daily highs before slightly decreasing today.

Patients with unclear infection routes pose a significant risk in COVID-19 prevention efforts. When confirmed cases occur, rapid contact tracing, isolation, and testing are necessary to find 'hidden patients.' Without identifying the infection routes, it is impossible to prevent 'n-th generation transmission.' Hidden patients risk unknowingly spreading COVID-19 to those around them.

The health authorities' goal is to reduce the proportion of patients with unknown infection routes to below 5%. This corresponds to level 1 of 'social distancing,' and from April to mid-May, there were many days when the rate was below 5%.

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