386 New COVID-19 Cases, Third Wave Fully Underway (Comprehensive)

One day before the secondary teacher certification exam, multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 occurred at a large teacher certification exam academy in Noryangjin, Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 20th. The photo shows the academy where the confirmed cases occurred that afternoon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues daily. As confirmed cases occur across the country, analysis suggests that the third wave is gaining momentum.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 21st at midnight that the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases increased by 386, bringing the total to 30,403.

The 386 new confirmed cases is the highest record in 86 days since August 27, when there were 441 cases. Compared to 363 cases the previous day, it increased by 23.

Since the beginning of this month, the daily number of new confirmed cases has been steadily rising. For two consecutive weeks since the 8th, the number has remained in the triple digits, with over 300 cases reported for four consecutive days.

Regarding the infection routes of the 386 new confirmed cases on this day, 361 were locally transmitted and 25 were imported cases.

The number of locally transmitted confirmed cases has been in the triple digits for 11 consecutive days since the 11th (113 cases), and numerically, it is the highest since the peak of the second wave on August 27 (434 cases).

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported, Seoul had 154 cases, Gyeonggi 86 cases, and Incheon 22 cases, totaling 262 cases in the metropolitan area. This is an increase of 44 cases compared to the previous day (218 cases).

Outside the metropolitan area, there were 19 cases in Chungnam, 18 in Jeonnam, 14 in Gangwon, 13 in Jeonbuk, 11 in Gyeongnam, 8 in Gyeongbuk, 7 in Busan, 6 in Gwangju, and 1 each in Daejeon, Ulsan, and Chungbuk.

Regarding infection cases in the metropolitan area, as of noon the previous day, they include a large teacher employment exam academy in Noryangjin, Dongjak-gu, Seoul (cumulative 32 cases), a student gathering at Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu (19 cases), a high school in Dongdaemun-gu (9 cases), the religious facility 'Cheongryeonsa' in Dobong-gu (29 cases), a swimming pool in Ansan, Gyeonggi (17 cases), and family and acquaintances in Namdong-gu, Incheon (40 cases).

In non-metropolitan areas, cases include Sunmoon University in Asan, Chungnam (14 cases), a social gathering in Changwon, Gyeongnam (23 cases), a middle school in Hadong, Gyeongnam (26 cases), Wonkwang University Hospital in Iksan, Jeonbuk (11 cases), a nursing home for the disabled in Cheorwon, Gangwon (40 cases), and Chonnam National University Hospital in Gwangju (46 cases).

There were 25 imported confirmed cases, which is 18 fewer than the 43 cases the previous day. Among the 25 imported cases, 9 were identified during quarantine inspections at airports or ports. The remaining 16 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their local residences or temporary living facilities.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths increased by 2 from the previous day, totaling 503. The domestic average fatality rate is 1.65%.

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