COVID-19 New Cases 1,132, Four Digits for Two Consecutive Days... Deaths Increase by 20

1104 Local Cases and 28 Imported Cases... Total 55,902 Cases, 793 Deaths

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea reached 1,132 as of midnight on the 26th. Although this is lower than the previous day's record high of 1,241 cases, it marks the second consecutive day with four-digit figures and is the second highest number ever recorded.

The government will hold a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the afternoon of the 27th to decide whether to raise the social distancing level to Stage 3 in the metropolitan area, separate from the current year-end and New Year special quarantine measures. While an extension of Stage 2.5 is currently favored, the outcome could change depending on how the situation develops.

◆ Among 1,104 Locally Transmitted Cases, 762 in the Metropolitan Area, 342 Outside

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 1,132 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 55,902. This is 109 fewer than the previous day’s 1,241 cases. Since the third wave of COVID-19 began in earnest in mid-November, the number of new cases has fluctuated around 1,000 daily, peaking at 1,200 the day before and then slightly decreasing.

From the 20th to the 26th, the daily new confirmed cases were 1,097 → 926 → 867 → 1,090 → 985 → 1,241 → 1,132. The number of new cases exceeding 100 has continued for seven consecutive weeks since December 8.

Regarding the infection routes of the new cases on this day, 1,104 were locally transmitted and 28 were imported. The number of locally transmitted cases decreased by 112 from the previous day’s 1,216. Among the regions with confirmed cases, Seoul reported 457, Gyeonggi 250, and Incheon 55, totaling 762 in the metropolitan area. Outside the metropolitan area, there were 61 in Chungnam, 38 in Chungbuk, 37 in Jeonbuk, 35 in Gangwon, 33 in Gyeongbuk, 27 in Gwangju, 26 in Busan, 24 in Jeju, 22 in Gyeongnam, 13 in Daegu, 11 in Daejeon, 8 in Ulsan, 6 in Jeonnam, and 1 in Sejong. The total number of cases outside the metropolitan area was 342, maintaining the 300s range for consecutive days.

Major cases include an additional 297 confirmed cases related to the Dongbu Detention Center in Seoul, bringing the total infected there to 514. In Gyeonggi Province, 163 infections were reported at the Hyoplus Nursing Hospital in Bucheon, and 24 tested positive at a nursing home in Paju.

Outside the metropolitan area, new cluster cases were identified at ▲a food store and restaurant in Cheonan, Chungnam (total 32 cases) ▲an animal hospital in Geoje, Gyeongnam (16 cases) ▲a gathering of acquaintances in Hadong, Gyeongnam (14 cases). Additionally, infections increased in existing clusters such as ▲Chamsarang Nursing Home in Cheongju, Chungbuk (98 cases) ▲three hospitals in Goesan, Eumseong, and Jincheon counties, Chungbuk (163 cases) ▲a church in Jeju City, Jeju (147 cases).

◆ 20 More Deaths, Total 793; 12 Fewer Critically Ill Patients, Total 299

The number of imported cases increased by 3 to 28 compared to the previous day’s 25. Among them, 10 were detected during quarantine at airports or ports. The remaining 18 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Seoul (9), Gyeonggi (5), Busan, Gwangju, Gangwon, and Gyeongbuk (1 each).

Combining local and imported cases, the metropolitan area reported 776 cases: Seoul 466, Gyeonggi 255, and Incheon 55. Nationwide, confirmed cases were reported in all 17 provinces for the fourth consecutive day.

Meanwhile, the death toll increased by 20 in one day, reaching a total of 793. The domestic average fatality rate stands at 1.42%. The number of critically ill patients decreased by 12 from the previous day to 299.

The number of tests conducted the previous day was 30,058, down by 27,089 from the 57,147 tests conducted the day before. The positivity rate calculated based on the previous day’s tests was 3.77% (1,104 positive cases out of 30,058 tests), a significant increase from the previous day’s 2.17% (1,241 positive cases out of 57,147 tests). The cumulative positivity rate as of midnight was 1.41% (55,902 positive cases out of 3,969,415 tests).

◆ Metropolitan Area Stage 2.5 Ends on the 28th... While Extension of Stage 2.5 is Favored, Stage 3 Upgrade Also Possible

Meanwhile, the government will hold a CDSCH meeting at 3 p.m. on the 27th, chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, to finalize additional quarantine measures including whether to raise the social distancing level. Since the current Stage 2.5 in the metropolitan area and Stage 2 in non-metropolitan areas are set to end on the 28th, decisions must be made regarding their extension or further escalation.

Stage 3 is effectively a 'lockdown' with strong measures that cause significant social and economic damage, so the government has been cautious about raising the level. While an extension of Stage 2.5 is currently favored, the sharp increase in confirmed cases the day before has increased pressure to raise the level to Stage 3.

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