[Breaking] "Daily cases to exceed 600 in early December... Very serious"

On the 17th, when the government raised the social distancing level to 1.5 in the metropolitan area, a citizen visiting a screening clinic in Songpa-gu, Seoul, is undergoing a COVID-19 test. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 21st, health authorities estimated that the daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) could exceed 400 next week and surpass 600 in early December.

Im Sukyoung, head of the Situation Management Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated this during a regular briefing held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk, explaining the trend of the infection reproduction number, which indicates the transmissibility of COVID-19.

He explained, "The infection reproduction number, a predictive indicator of the epidemic, has exceeded 1.5. One confirmed case is infecting more than 1.5 people."

Im also expressed concern, saying, "We are currently at the beginning stage of a large-scale outbreak, and the situation is very serious."

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