COVID-19 New Cases Expected in the High 600s... Increase in 'Cluster Infection Transmission'

516 Cases Counted Until 6 PM the Previous Day
Cluster Infection Cases Decreased Compared to the Previous Week, but Confirmed Cluster Infection Cases Increased
Increased Transmission Within a Single Cluster
Health Authorities: "Spread of Community Infection Sources... Occurrence of Patients in Nursing Facilities"

On the 8th, installation work for 'container temporary beds' to secure treatment beds for COVID-19 is underway at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is not subsiding. As of 6 p.m. on the 8th, the number of new nationwide COVID-19 cases was recorded at 516, and it is expected that today's new cases will reach the mid-to-high 600s.

In particular, although the number of cluster infection cases has decreased due to strengthened quarantine measures such as raising the social distancing level, the number of confirmed cases from cluster infections has actually increased, prompting health authorities to remain vigilant.

The health authorities plan to establish measures to strictly manage quarantine rules in communal living spaces such as nursing facilities and dormitories.

According to the health authorities and local governments including Seoul City, as of 6 p.m. on the 8th, the number of new nationwide COVID-19 cases was recorded at 516. This is 65 more than the 451 cases recorded at the same time on the 7th.

Considering that the daily case count ends at midnight, the number of new cases as of 0 a.m. on the 9th is expected to be in the mid-to-high 600s. It could even approach around 700 if the number is high.

By region, as of 6 p.m. on the 8th, the metropolitan area accounted for 411 cases (79.7%), and non-metropolitan areas accounted for 105 cases (20.3%). By city/province: Seoul 198, Gyeonggi 173, Incheon 40, Busan 24, Gyeongnam 22, Chungbuk 16, Ulsan 12, Daejeon 8, Gangwon and Jeonbuk 5 each, Gyeongbuk 4, Chungnam and Gwangju 3 each, Daegu, Sejong, and Jeonnam 1 each.

On the afternoon of the 8th, a comprehensive COVID-19 testing was conducted for all students and staff at a middle school in Nam-gu, Ulsan. On that day, one student at the school tested positive for COVID-19. / Photo by Yonhap News

The health authorities analyzed that many COVID-19 transmissions are occurring within a single cluster.

On the 8th, Kwon Junwook, Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), said at a regular COVID-19 briefing held at the KDCA in Cheongju, Chungbuk, "There have been many cases of significant transmission within a single cluster in Ulsan and the metropolitan area," adding, "Especially in medical institutions and nursing facilities, despite strengthened quarantine measures so far, recent increases have been observed."

Deputy Head Kwon explained the reason for the increase in transmission cases within clusters, saying, "As the infection source itself has spread to some extent in the community, it is understood that patients have begun to appear in medical institutions, nursing facilities, and care institutions, which are the final resting places of silent transmission."

According to data released by the health authorities, compared to the 48th week (from the 22nd to the 28th of last month), the number of cluster infection cases decreased from 40 to 32 in the 49th week (from the 29th of last month to the 5th of this month). However, confirmed cases increased significantly during this period. The average daily confirmed cases in the 48th week were 441.6, while in the 49th week, it was 514.5. In other words, the number of transmissions within a single cluster increased.

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency / Photo by Yonhap News

The health authorities plan to more strictly manage compliance with quarantine rules in communal living spaces vulnerable to COVID-19 cluster infections.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "Even institutions or facilities where cases have occurred and measures have been taken need to manage compliance with quarantine rules more strictly," adding, "In addition to medical institutions, nursing facilities, and care institutions, we will promptly realize preemptive measures for places where lodging and meals are provided, such as dormitories and other communal living spaces."

Furthermore, the health authorities emphasized compliance with quarantine rules such as wearing masks to quell the ongoing third wave.

Deputy Head Kwon urged, "It has already been confirmed several times that wearing masks thoroughly in enclosed, narrow spaces and high-risk facilities blocks infection," and requested, "Citizens are asked to avoid places where many people gather, cancel all meetings and appointments, and strictly observe mask-wearing, hand washing, regular ventilation, and disinfection."

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