Government: "If the current upward trend continues, new confirmed cases will exceed 100" (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government predicted that if the trend of increasing cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, the daily average number of confirmed domestic cases is likely to exceed the 100s.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 4th, "The spread of infection, mainly in the metropolitan area, is continuing with fluctuations," indicating this situation.

Currently, the transmission speed of COVID-19 is faster than the epidemiological investigations conducted by health authorities. Yoon said, "Despite tracing and suppression through epidemiological investigations, it is judged that the transmission speed is still slightly ahead."

The government especially expressed concern about cluster infections in daily life. Yoon explained, "Recent cluster infection patterns are appearing in daily life spaces where direct management by health authorities is difficult," adding, "Most cases are infections occurring through activities that emit many droplets in enclosed indoor spaces where wearing masks is difficult, such as dining gatherings, pubs, indoor sports facilities, saunas, and musical instrument lessons."

He further warned, "It is concerning that cluster infections are appearing not only in vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and nursing facilities but also in daily life spaces such as family and acquaintance gatherings, restaurants, pubs, and workplaces," and cautioned, "The possibility of the epidemic spreading due to seasonal factors such as colder weather is also increasing."

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