COVID-19 New Cases 118... Triple Digits for the First Time in Three Days (Update)

<기사제목>Central Disease Control Headquarters, Domestic Status as of 0:00 on the 4th

On the morning of the 4th, a screening clinic set up at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 4th, the number of newly confirmed domestic cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was recorded at 118. Previously, on the 2nd and 3rd, the daily new confirmed cases had fallen below 100, but after three days, the number rose again to triple digits. Cluster outbreaks have occurred in various daily life settings, and with subsequent additional transmissions, new cases have consistently appeared around 100, showing little sign of decline.

According to the domestic status compiled by the Central Disease Control Headquarters as of midnight on the same day, 98 cases are presumed to be domestic infections, and 20 cases are imported from overseas. Most of these cases were reported in the Seoul metropolitan area. In Seoul, 42 new confirmed cases were reported (including 3 imported cases), Gyeonggi Province had 43 cases (including 2 imported), and Incheon had 4 cases, totaling 89 cases in the metropolitan area alone. In Chungnam, where cluster outbreaks occurred through workplaces, pubs, and saunas, 10 new cases were added. One to two confirmed cases were also reported in Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Jeju. Eleven cases were identified during the quarantine stage.

With the number of newly infected patients in the community rising to nearly 100, health authorities are on high alert. Unlike imported cases that are meticulously managed from the quarantine stage, domestic cases have a high potential to rapidly lead to large-scale cluster outbreaks if initial contact tracing is not conducted promptly. Recently, infection chains have been linked through commonly frequented facilities such as academies, private tutoring centers, saunas, and gyms, as well as small gatherings among family and acquaintances, making it difficult for authorities to quickly block transmission. The high number of new cases centered in the densely populated and highly trafficked Seoul metropolitan area is also a concern.

The estimated countries of origin for imported confirmed cases are Europe with 8 cases, other Asian countries excluding China with 7 cases, and the Americas with 5 cases. There are 9 Korean nationals and 11 foreigners among the imported cases. As of this date, the number of critically ill patients is 53, an increase of 1 from the previous day. Two deaths were reported the day before, bringing the total cumulative deaths to 474. The total cumulative confirmed cases in the country have risen to 26,925. With 106 patients released from isolation the previous day, the number of patients currently undergoing isolation treatment is 1,835.

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