COVID-19 Cases Back to 200s... Simultaneous Spread Locally and Overseas (Comprehensive)

Rising to 200s in Two Months... Overseas Cases Highest in 111 Days
Over 100 New Infections in Seoul Metropolitan Area for Two Consecutive Days... Multiple Cluster Outbreaks Confirmed
Government Considers Raising 'Social Distancing' Level... Some Local Governments Preemptively Upgrade

On the 14th, the area in front of the screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul is crowded. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The daily number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has risen again to the 200s. As simultaneous cluster infections occur not only in medical institutions and nursing facilities but also in daily life settings such as schools and cafes, the government is considering measures such as raising the level of 'social distancing.'

On the 14th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, there were 205 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. This is an increase of 14 from the previous day, rising again to the 200s for the first time since September 2 (267 cases). The cumulative number of confirmed cases was tallied at 28,338.

The number of new confirmed cases this month has been 124 → 97 → 75 → 118 → 125 → 145 → 89 → 143 → 126 → 100 → 146 → 143 → 191 → 205. There were only three days with fewer than 100 cases. After peaking at 441 new cases on August 27, the previously calming trend has reversed and cases are increasing again.

In response, health authorities are considering measures such as raising the 'social distancing' level. Local governments including Cheonan and Asan in Chungnam, Wonju in Gangwon, and Suncheon, Gwangyang, and Yeosu in Jeonnam have proactively raised their levels to 1.5.

Meanwhile, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is scheduled to hold the 'Jeon Tae-il 50th Anniversary Martyr Spirit National Workers' Rally' across the country this afternoon, raising concerns about additional cluster infections.

Triple-digit new infections in the metropolitan area... Mass outbreaks at local family and acquaintance gatherings

Of the 205 new confirmed cases, 166 were locally transmitted and 39 were imported. The number of locally transmitted cases increased by 4 from the previous day, the highest since 189 on September 4.

Seoul reported the highest number with 63 cases. An additional 46 cases were reported in Gyeonggi Province. The metropolitan area recorded 109 cases, maintaining triple digits for two consecutive days. This was followed by 13 in Jeonnam, 11 in Chungnam, 7 in Gwangju, 3 in Gyeongnam, 2 in Daejeon, and 1 each in Busan, Sejong, and Jeonbuk.

New cluster outbreaks appeared in the metropolitan area. Related to a business trip service workers' gathering in Yongin, Gyeonggi, the first patient was identified on the 10th, and by noon the previous day, a total of 14 people had tested positive. In Seoul's Gangseo District, additional transmission was confirmed to acquaintances, family, and a nursing facility, resulting in a total of 13 positive cases. Confirmed cases continue to be found steadily in previously affected cluster sites such as Ace Hope Care Center in Dongdaemun District, Seoul (53 cases), medical institutions in Gunpo, Gyeonggi, and nursing facilities in Anyang (154 cases).

Outside the metropolitan area, many infections were linked to family and acquaintance gatherings. In Inje County, Gangwon, 12 people have been confirmed positive through an acquaintance gathering. Seven people were infected through a principal training program in the area. In Cheonan, Chungnam, 6 middle school friends tested positive, and 7 were confirmed in relation to the Sangmu Room Soju Bar in Seo District, Gwangju. Fourteen people were infected linked to a company in Gwangyang, Jeonnam, and 5 additional cases were confirmed in a family cluster in Hwasun County.

Imported cases also on the rise... Highest number in 111 days

The number of imported confirmed cases was 39 (19 Koreans, 20 foreigners), an increase of 10 from the previous day (29). This is the highest since 46 cases on July 26, marking the largest in 111 days. Since recording 7 cases on the 28th of last month, daily numbers have fluctuated between 10 and 30, with counts of 19 → 21 → 31 → 23 → 18 → 29 → 20 → 17 → 28 → 17 → 25 → 27 → 29 → 33 → 15 → 29 → 39.

On the 19th of last month, quarantine officials were waiting at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport on Yeongjongdo Island to conduct inspections of incoming passengers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Of the 39 imported cases on this day, 21 were identified during quarantine inspections at airports or ports of entry. The remaining 18 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in regions including Seoul (6), Busan, Gyeonggi, Jeonbuk (3 each), and Incheon, Gwangju, Gyeongnam (1 each).

The countries presumed as sources of importation were led by the United States with 10 cases, followed by Russia with 6, Poland 5, Myanmar 4, the Philippines 3, Bangladesh and Japan 2 each, and China, Indonesia, Kuwait, Ukraine, Germany, Spain, and Canada with 1 case each.

Meanwhile, the death toll increased by 4 from the previous day, totaling 492. The domestic average fatality rate stands at 1.74%. The number of critically ill patients, those in severe or worsening condition after COVID-19 confirmation, also rose by 4 to 54.

The cumulative number of patients released from isolation as of this day was 25,636 (an increase of 99 from the previous day). The number of patients currently in isolation and receiving treatment increased by 102 to 2,210.

The number of tests conducted on the previous day was 15,878, an increase of 4,239 from the day before (11,639). The positivity rate relative to the number of tests was 1.29% (205 out of 15,878), down from 1.64% (191 out of 11,639) the previous day. As of midnight, the cumulative positivity rate was 1.02% (28,338 out of 2,777,289). To date, a total of 2,777,289 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been conducted domestically. Of these, 2,714,259 tested negative, and 34,692 results are pending.

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