671 New COVID-19 Cases as of 6 PM: "Highest This Month"

Tomorrow's New COVID-19 Cases Expected to Be at Least in the High 800s

On the 15th, as 880 new COVID-19 cases were reported, approaching the 900 mark again, medical staff were collecting samples at a temporary screening clinic set up in the parking lot of the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Residential Site in Gangdong-gu. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight that day, the number of new confirmed cases had increased by 880. Due to the holiday effect, which reduced the number of tests compared to weekdays, the number of new cases dropped to the low 700s the previous day, but as testing increased, the count approached the 900 level again. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea is not slowing down. From midnight to 6 p.m. on the 15th, the number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide reached 671, marking the highest daily count this month.

According to health authorities, as of 6 p.m. on the same day, the number of new COVID-19 cases was 671, which is 89 more than the 582 cases recorded at the same time the previous day. The trend of confirmed cases from 6 p.m. on the 1st of this month to the previous day was 416 → 360 → 381 → 439 → 405 → 459 → 451 → 516 → 481 → 507 → 539 → 549 → 527 → 582, maintaining a range of 400 to 500 cases. However, on this day, the number surged to the high 600s.

By region, Gyeonggi Province reported 225 cases, Seoul 169 cases, and Incheon 70 cases, with the metropolitan area still accounting for a high proportion. Following were Jeonbuk with 66 cases, Busan 38 cases, Daegu 23 cases, Gyeongnam and Chungbuk each with 16 cases, Chungnam 15 cases, Gyeongbuk 14 cases, Jeju 6 cases, Ulsan and Gangwon each with 5 cases, Jeonnam 2 cases, and Daejeon 1 case. No new cases were reported in Sejong and Gwangju.

Since there is still time until midnight, when the case count is finalized, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 16th is expected to be at least in the high 800s. On the previous day, 582 new cases were recorded by 6 p.m., but nearly 300 additional cases were added over the following six hours, totaling 880 cases.

Notably, unlike the first and second waves, this third wave is spreading infections throughout daily life, raising greater concerns. Cluster infections are occurring simultaneously across the country in family and friend gatherings, restaurants, religious facilities, and more. For example, on this day, a cluster infection that began at Naeum Church in Dangjin City, Chungnam, spread to local welfare facilities, a nearby prayer center in Seosan, and churches in Daejeon, resulting in 104 related confirmed cases.

Cases continue to emerge in nursing facilities as well. Related to Hyoplus Nursing Hospital in Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province, 45 additional cases were confirmed, bringing the cumulative total to 117. The number of confirmed cases related to Yangji Nursing Hospital in Ulsan reached 206. Other new cluster infection cases include a correctional facility in Songpa District, Seoul (cumulative 23 cases), Byeollae Chamsarang Nursing Home and Daycare Center in Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province (33 cases), and a hospital in Changwon, Gyeongnam (8 cases).

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