1030 New COVID-19 Cases... First Four-Digit Number Since Domestic Outbreak (Comprehensive)

786 Cases in the Seoul Metropolitan Area... Accounting for 78% of Domestic Cases

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) intensifies in South Korea, the number of new confirmed cases has exceeded 1,000 for the first time.

The 1,000-level of new confirmed cases is the first in nearly 11 months since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the country on January 20, which is 328 days ago.

On the 13th, the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea was 1,030, setting a record high for two consecutive days since the outbreak began. Notably, although the number of tests conducted over the weekend decreased by about 14,000 compared to the previous weekday, the number of confirmed cases still increased.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) data compiled as of midnight on the same day, 1,002 cases are estimated to be from domestic transmission, and 28 cases are imported from overseas.

By region, Seoul reported 396 cases, Gyeonggi 328 cases, and Incheon 62 cases, totaling 786 cases in the metropolitan area, accounting for 78.4% of domestic confirmed cases. The number of locally transmitted cases in the metropolitan area increased by 117 from the previous day, surpassing 700 for the first time.

Metropolitan Area Cases Surpass 700 for the First Time
Experts Say "Raising Social Distancing to Level 3 is Inevitable"

Outside the metropolitan area, Busan reported the highest number with 56 cases, followed by Daegu with 28, Gyeongnam 22, Gyeongbuk 18, Gangwon 17, Chungbuk 15, Gwangju 14, Daejeon 13, Chungnam 9, Ulsan 8, Jeonbuk 8, Jeonnam 5, and Jeju 3 cases.

Recently, large-scale cluster infections have continued in metropolitan area churches and nursing hospitals, and clusters are rapidly emerging in everyday places such as academies, restaurants, and singing classes.

There are 28 imported cases. The estimated countries of origin for imported cases are the United States with 6 cases, Russia 5, Indonesia 3, Ukraine 2, China 1, the Philippines 1, India 1, Vietnam 1, United Arab Emirates 1, Pakistan 1, Poland 1, Germany 1, Switzerland 1, Algeria 1, Kenya 1, and Tanzania 1.

Among the imported cases, 14 were identified during quarantine inspections at airports or seaports, and the remaining 14 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their local residences or temporary living facilities.

As of this date, there are 179 critically ill patients, and with 2 deaths reported the previous day, the cumulative death toll has reached 580.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country has risen to 42,766. With 321 patients released from isolation the previous day, 10,372 patients are currently in isolation.

Experts believe that despite successive increases in social distancing levels, the rapid surge in confirmed cases makes raising social distancing to level 3 unavoidable. Until early last month, new cases were maintained around 100, but within a month, the number has surged to 1,000, reaching the limits of medical resources such as hospital bed shortages.

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