COVID-19 Positive Rate Doubles... Are Hidden Patients Increasing Throughout Local Communities?

1.79% Confirmed Cases Last Week with 2,187 Infections
Higher Level Than 2nd Wave in August
1 Case Detected per 55-56 Tests

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The rate of testing positive after being tested due to suspected infection with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has approximately doubled. Over the past ten months of the domestic COVID-19 situation, about 1 out of every 100 people tested positive, but recently, nearly 2 out of 100 have been confirmed positive. This positivity rate typically increases as infections spread, and in this third wave phase, it has been found to be higher than during the second wave in late August, when the number of confirmed cases was at its peak.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 24th, during last week (November 16?22), 122,012 people were tested due to suspected COVID-19 infection, and among them, 2,187 were confirmed positive. The positivity rate, i.e., the ratio of confirmed cases to those tested, was 1.79%. Around weekends, when the number of tests decreases, there were days when the daily positivity rate exceeded 2% (2.72% on the 22nd).

Since January, a total of 2,946,399 people have been tested as suspected cases in the country, with a cumulative 31,353 confirmed cases. The overall positivity rate is 1.06%. Previously, about 94 to 95 tests were needed to find one COVID-19 patient, but recently, only about 55 to 56 tests are required to detect one patient.

Suspected cases refer to those identified by authorities as requiring testing due to contact with confirmed patients, fever or respiratory symptoms, or being overseas entrants with potential COVID-19 exposure. This does not include voluntary testing or proactive screening of workers in nursing hospitals or facilities. The increased positivity rate indicates that high-risk individuals or groups are being effectively identified and tested, but it also suggests a high likelihood of widespread infection throughout the community.

As the 'social distancing' level in the Seoul metropolitan area was raised to Level 2 starting at midnight on the 24th, quarantine measures were significantly strengthened, especially in multi-use facilities. Separately, the Seoul Metropolitan Government declared a 'Pause Period for 10 Million Citizens' until the end of the year and introduced measures including enhanced Seoul-style precision quarantine for 10 major facilities within the city, a complete ban on gatherings of more than 10 people throughout Seoul, and a 20% reduction in public transportation operations after 10 p.m. The photo shows quarantine company personnel conducting disinfection at the Yeouido Transfer Center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The recent positivity rate is slightly higher than the 1.7% recorded in the fourth week of August, when nationwide spread occurred through metropolitan area churches and urban rallies, resulting in 300 to 400 new cases daily. During the first wave, centered on Shincheonji Church of Jesus followers in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, the positivity rate was much higher at 5?6%. However, that was an unusual situation where a 'super-spreader event' occurred for up to nearly a month before the first cases were identified, leading to a sudden surge in cases.

Recently, cases have increased mainly among young people who are socially active and live in groups, making it difficult for authorities to manage the outbreak. Even if infected, young and middle-aged adults often have no or mild symptoms, raising concerns that they may unknowingly spread the virus to others. This suggests that 'silent transmission' in the community is more likely now than ever before.

The health authorities conducted COVID-19 antibody tests on 6,859 military recruits in September and October, finding that 15 of them showed positive antibody responses despite never having been diagnosed with COVID-19. The undiagnosed antibody positivity rate was 0.22%, about three times higher than the 0.07% rate found in a similar survey of the general adult population. Jeong Eun-kyung, head of the headquarters, stated, "It is necessary to strengthen quarantine management for people in their early 20s."

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