Confirmed Cases Reach Record High of 1,200 Due to Group Infection in Detention Center and Increased Testing (Comprehensive Report 2)

Health Authorities: "Management Within Detention Center Quarantine Network... Likely a Temporary Phenomenon"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Kim Heung-soon] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has reached 1,200, marking an all-time high. Health authorities analyzed that a large-scale cluster infection of over 500 cases in correctional facilities led to the surge in confirmed cases. Additionally, the virus's transmissibility has increased due to seasonal factors, and the government's recent significant expansion of COVID-19 diagnostic testing to find 'hidden infections' is also a reason why the spread has not slowed down.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 25th, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases was 1,241, breaking the previous record once again. This is a sharp increase of 256 cases from the high 900s the day before, marking the highest number of confirmed cases since the first domestic case was reported on January 20. The previous record was 1,097 cases on the 20th, making this number 144 cases higher.

Over 500 Confirmed Cases at Dongbu Detention Center
Overcapacity and Apartment-style Structure Lead to Surge

In particular, over 500 confirmed cases were reported solely at the Dongbu Detention Center in Seoul, identifying cluster infections in correctional facilities as a major cause of the surge in confirmed cases. At Dongbu Detention Center, after the first infection was confirmed on the 27th of last month, mass testing of staff and detainees was conducted, resulting in a total of 510 confirmed cases to date. A staggering 288 additional cases were confirmed the day before, pushing the total over 500.

At a regular briefing, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters' quarantine team, stated, "The biggest reason for the sharp increase in confirmed cases is the addition of 288 confirmed cases from the second mass testing at Dongbu Detention Center," adding, "Other regional infection cases have not significantly deviated from recent trends."

Yoon also said, "The fact that the daily average of confirmed cases has exceeded 1,000 is also a result of yesterday's cluster infection," and added, "Dongbu Detention Center is already being managed within the quarantine network, so there is no additional transmission to the local community."

Regarding the reason for the cluster outbreak at Dongbu Detention Center, he explained, "Unlike other detention centers, Dongbu Detention Center is an apartment-style building," and "While other detention centers have outdoor activities, all daily life here takes place indoors." Yoon further explained, "The detention center's capacity is 2,070, but it currently houses 2,412 detainees, resulting in a high density," and "This is believed to be why many confirmed cases have emerged."

On meeting the criteria for raising 'social distancing' to level 3, he said, "If the average number of confirmed cases exceeds 1,000 for a week continuously, various considerations can be made, but we believe it is more likely a temporary phenomenon." Accordingly, after comprehensively considering various factors, an announcement regarding the extension and elevation of social distancing to level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and level 2 nationwide will be made at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting this Sunday.

Experts predict that the spread will not easily subside for the time being, as infections have spread due to increased indoor activities combined with seasonal factors, and the government has significantly increased diagnostic testing.

118,078 Diagnostic Tests 'All-time High'
1,025 Cases Found in Temporary Screening Clinics Over Ten Days

The government and health authorities have recently expanded diagnostic testing significantly to quickly block sporadic cluster infections occurring nationwide and to find hidden infections in the community. The increase in people getting tested regardless of symptoms is also believed to have partially contributed to the record high number of new confirmed cases.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, over the past week, excluding weekends, daily COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been conducted at a rate of 80,000 to 100,000 or more. Since the 14th, free anonymous testing has been conducted at temporary screening clinics set up in the metropolitan area, significantly increasing the number of tests compared to before.

Daily test numbers were 83,799 on the 18th, 104,945 on the 19th, 81,740 on the 20th, 56,520 on the 21st, 108,322 on the 22nd, 107,217 on the 23rd, 113,731 on the 24th, and 118,078 on the 25th.

Before the operation of temporary screening clinics, daily diagnostic tests on weekdays were around 20,000 to 30,000, but recently, the number of tests has increased more than threefold. As testing volume increases, so does the number of confirmed cases. On the previous day, 121 new confirmed cases were found at temporary screening clinics in the metropolitan area. Since the clinics began operation on the 14th, a total of 411,604 diagnostic tests have been conducted over ten days, identifying 1,025 confirmed cases.

Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "The third wave of COVID-19 is rapidly approaching its peak, so confirmed cases are bound to continue emerging for the time being," emphasizing, "As cluster infections continue to occur in the metropolitan area, this is a very important time when the government, the National Assembly, and the public must cooperate with heightened vigilance."

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