Despite Eased Distancing, Around 100 Cases for Two Consecutive Days... Precarious Level 1.5 Phase (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disease Control Headquarters, Domestic Occurrence Status on the 13th
Three-Digit Cases for Six Days Since the 7th... Overseas Inflow Increases for Two Consecutive Days

On the 13th, the first day of mandatory mask-wearing to prevent COVID-19, Seoul Metro officials are promoting the mandatory use of masks to commuters at Jamsil Station in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 13th, the newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were counted at 102. The daily new cases reached triple digits for the first time in six days since the 7th (114 cases). Following 98 cases on the previous day, which was the first day of the social distancing level downgrade, the number exceeded 100 for the second consecutive day, maintaining an uneasy situation.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of 0:00 on the day, 69 new cases were estimated to be domestic community infections, and 33 were presumed to be imported cases. By region, the metropolitan area had the highest number with 58 cases (including imported cases), and 10 new confirmed cases were reported in Daejeon, where cluster infections spread through family gatherings. Gangwon Province reported 4 cases, Gwangju and Chungnam 2 cases each, and Busan, Daegu, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk reported 1 case each.

Community infections have been around 60 daily for about two weeks, but imported cases have somewhat increased. Among the 33 imported cases, 21 were identified during quarantine, making up the majority. By nationality, foreigners arriving from Russia accounted for the largest number with 14 cases. Five cases were confirmed among those arriving from Japan, and four each from Nepal and the United States. Among the 33 new imported cases on the day, 29 were foreigners. The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 24,805. With 135 patients released from isolation the previous day, 1,508 patients are currently undergoing isolation treatment. The number of severe or critical patients increased by 4 from the previous day to 91. One death was reported the previous day, raising the total domestic death toll to 434.

During the Hangul Day holiday period including the weekend, the number of new confirmed cases had been trending downward in double digits, but the scale of new cases increased for two consecutive days. Authorities judged that since infections during the early month’s holiday period may still be in the incubation period, the trend should be monitored further. Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said before the meeting on the day, "More than 30 million people moved during the Chuseok special quarantine period, but fortunately, no large-scale infection cases have appeared yet. However, some infections through family and acquaintances’ gatherings have been reported after the Chuseok holiday, so we need to watch carefully."

Typically, the number of new confirmed cases decreases on weekends or holidays due to reduced testing and then increases again during weekdays. Therefore, the number of new cases is likely to rise again during the weekdays. Even considering the recent increase is due to imported cases and isolated cluster infections, indicators that gauge the epidemic trend such as the scale of new cases, cluster outbreaks, and identification of infection routes may worsen. There is also ongoing concern that compliance with quarantine rules among citizens may loosen following the downgrade of social distancing levels.

Coordinator Kang said, "With the social distancing level eased to Level 1, autonomy has increased, making individual responsibility for quarantine more important. I urge everyone to wear masks indoors and outdoors and strictly follow quarantine rules such as handwashing."

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