Authorities: "3rd Wave, Largest and Longest Upward Trend... Extremely Serious" (Comprehensive)

20 Days for 10,000 More Confirmed Cases... "Not at the Peak Yet"
Expanded Diagnostic Testing in the Capital Area from the 14th... Saliva and Rapid Tests Also Included

On the 10th, access control tape was placed around Hongik Cultural Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul. As of midnight on the same day, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported 682 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total to 40,098. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The quarantine authorities announced on the 10th that the recent outbreak pattern of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is much larger and progressing faster compared to past outbreaks. They also clearly stated that although the current rapid increase is not yet leading to a peak, it is definitely not the 'peak' yet.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing on the same day, "The current outbreak is the largest and longest among the three outbreaks that occurred this year. We must overcome several critical points until the moment we defeat COVID-19 with vaccines, and I believe this outbreak is the strongest challenge."

According to the authorities, it took 74 days from the end of January, when the first domestic patient was reported, until the cumulative confirmed cases reached 10,000. It then took 151 days for the cases to increase by another 10,000, and about 80 days more for the cumulative confirmed cases to reach 30,000. As of this day, the cumulative confirmed cases stand at 40,098, and the period for the next 10,000 increase was only 20 days. The problem is that the spread is still not slowing down, with more than 600 new confirmed cases daily.

On the 9th, citizens are waiting for COVID-19 testing at the screening clinic for the novel coronavirus infection set up at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the same day, 686 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed domestically, bringing the total to 39,432. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Lee said, "The current outbreak is rising quickly and steadily, showing a much longer trend to reach the peak compared to the first and second outbreaks. It is still unclear whether we have reached the peak."

He emphasized that to prevent the collapse of the medical system treating patients, the speed of increase must be slowed down by any means. Concerns about casualties are growing as the number of critically ill patients is rapidly increasing, and slowing the spread is necessary to ensure the smooth process of timely treatment after confirmation.

Lee said, "Although the increase rate has definitely slowed compared to when we took no measures, the continued rise in patient numbers is very dangerous. We recognize the situation very seriously and must make more efforts until the reproduction number falls below 1."

On the afternoon of the 10th, a student is undergoing a test for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a screening clinic installed at a high school in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.

150 Additional Temporary Screening Clinics and Introduction of Anonymous Testing
Recommendation Order: Nasal/Throat PCR → Saliva PCR → Rapid Antigen Test

To this end, the authorities decided to expand diagnostic testing in the Seoul metropolitan area, where patients are concentrated. About 150 additional temporary screening clinics will operate for three weeks starting from the 14th. Anyone wishing to get tested can receive free testing at these locations. Priority will be given to nasopharyngeal PCR testing using specimens from the nose and throat, while saliva PCR testing, which allows convenient specimen collection, and rapid antigen testing will also be conducted concurrently.

Saliva testing uses the PCR method as before, so a positive result immediately confirms infection, whereas rapid antigen testing is a screening test; if positive, it must be confirmed again by nasopharyngeal swab PCR testing. Only after a positive result in this confirmatory test is the final diagnosis confirmed. As during the past outbreak in the Itaewon area of Seoul, anonymous testing is available by leaving only a mobile phone number to encourage testing. The authorities expect no shortage in the supply of diagnostic reagents (kits) used for saliva or rapid antigen tests.

Lee said, "The standard test method to determine confirmation is the nasopharyngeal PCR method, so it will be recommended when possible. In emergency rooms or remote areas where PCR testing is not feasible, easier methods can be used. It can also be used conveniently in places like nursing facilities where frequent testing is necessary."

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