Gyeongbuk, Up to 48 New Confirmed Cases Since March... Simultaneous 'Chain Infections' in 11 Cities and Counties

18 Cases in Gyeongsan, 11 in Andong, 6 in Yeongju, 4 in Gyeongju, 3 in Cheongsong,
1 Each in Pohang, Gumi, Yeongcheon, Uiseong, Yeongyang, and Yecheon...
Total 1,993 Confirmed Cases in Gyeongbuk as of Midnight on the 21st

The temperature gauge of the Love Temperature Tower, visible behind the medical staff at the temporary screening clinic in Seoul Plaza on the 20th, remains at 34.8 degrees. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongbuk Province recorded the highest number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in over nine months since early March, with 48 new cases.

Since the n-th wave infections are occurring simultaneously and extensively in 11 out of nearly half of the basic local governments within the province, rather than a cluster outbreak in a specific area, the concerns of the quarantine authorities are deepening.

According to Gyeongbuk Province on the 21st, as of midnight, the cumulative confirmed cases in the Gyeongbuk area increased by 48 from the previous day to 1,993 (including 108 imported cases).

The new confirmed cases are widespread across 11 out of the 23 cities and counties in the province: Gyeongsan 18, Andong 11, Yeongju 6, Gyeongju 4, Cheongsong 3, and Pohang, Gumi, Yeongcheon, Uiseong, Yeongyang, and Yecheon with one case each.

In Gyeongsan City, among the 18 new confirmed cases, 5 are contacts of confirmed cases related to Daegu Yeongsin Church. Eight are contacts of a resident confirmed on the 18th (Gyeongsan case number 70). Another 3 were classified as contacts of previous confirmed cases and tested positive. The infection route for the remaining 2 is unknown.

In Andong City, among the 11 new confirmed cases, 4 are contacts of a resident confirmed on the 18th (Andong case number 89), and 7 are contacts of confirmed cases related to religious facilities in Andong.

In Yeongju City, 6 people were classified as contacts of a religious facility-related confirmed case on the 18th (Yeongju case number 22) and tested positive in subsequent tests.

In Gyeongju City, among the 4 new confirmed cases, 2 are an elementary student and a private tutor attending the same school as previous confirmed cases related to the 'Naenam-myeon Rice Cake Shop Family Gathering' (Gyeongju case numbers 158 and 159). Another case is a contact of a restaurant owner in Angang-eup (Gyeongju case number 121). The infection route of the remaining case is unknown.

The 3 new confirmed cases in Cheongsong County are contacts of a resident confirmed on the 17th (Cheongsong case number 8). Additionally, in Pohang City, Uiseong County, and Yecheon County, one resident each was confirmed positive after contact with previous confirmed cases (Pohang case number 131, Andong case numbers 93 and 92).

Also, the new confirmed case in Gumi City has an unknown infection route, the new confirmed case in Yeongcheon City is related to Daegu Yeongsin Church, and in Yeongyang County, the case is linked to a confirmed case in Michuhol-gu, Incheon.

In Gyeongsangbuk-do, 183 local residents (excluding imported cases) were confirmed positive in the past week, resulting in a weekly daily average of 26.1 confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, in Gyeongbuk, after the daily confirmed cases peaked at 122 on March 6, the number dropped to 31 on March 8, but has continued to show double-digit figures since mid-December.

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