COVID-19 New Cases at 6 PM: 463 Confirmed, 118 More Than Previous Day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] On the 16th, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases is expected to increase compared to the previous day.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from 0:00 to 18:00 on the 16th, a total of 463 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified. This is 118 more than the 345 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

By region, 352 cases were confirmed in the metropolitan area, and 111 cases in non-metropolitan areas. By city and province, the numbers are as follows: Seoul 218, Gyeonggi 115, Chungnam 30, Incheon 19, Busan 17, Jeonnam 12, Daegu and Gyeongbuk 11 each, Ulsan 7, Chungbuk 6, Gyeongnam 5, Daejeon and Jeonbuk 4 each, Gwangju and Gangwon 2 each.

When the count closes at midnight, the number of new confirmed cases is expected to be in the 500s. During the Lunar New Year holiday (February 11?14), new confirmed cases had decreased to the 300s but are now rising again. The average daily number of locally transmitted confirmed cases, a key indicator for adjusting the 'social distancing' level, was recorded at 381. According to distancing criteria, this corresponds to Level 2 (nationwide over 300 cases), but it is 23 cases higher than the count from the previous day.

Regarding major cluster outbreaks, a total of 92 cases have been confirmed by the afternoon of the 16th related to the Kiturami Boiler manufacturing plant in Asan, Chungnam. As confirmed cases increase mainly around Asan and Cheonan, additional cases may occur depending on test results.

Confirmed cases linked to family and relative gatherings during the Lunar New Year holiday are also increasing. In Busan, among six family members who tested positive after a family gathering on February 11?12 during the holiday, the infection chain extended to one member's workplace. Four family members who gathered in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk during the holiday also tested positive.

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