Confirmed cases 271 by 6 PM, down 70 from yesterday... 300s expected tomorrow

207 Cases in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Alone: 100 in Seoul, 90 in Gyeonggi, 17 in Incheon
Without Sudden Cluster Infections, Numbers Expected to Drop to 300s Within a Week

Citizens are getting tested at the temporary COVID-19 screening site set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 21st. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight that day, there were 416 new domestic COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 86,992. Photo by Moohnam Moon munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] As signs of a resurgence of COVID-19 appear, new confirmed cases continue to occur across the country on the 21st.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, a total of 271 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide from midnight to 6 p.m. on this day.

This is 70 fewer than the 341 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported, 207 cases (76.4%) were in the metropolitan area, and 64 cases (23.6%) were in non-metropolitan areas.

By city and province, there were 100 cases in Seoul, 90 in Gyeonggi, 17 in Incheon, 16 in Gangwon, 12 in Busan, 11 in Gyeongbuk, 7 in Chungnam, 4 in Gwangju, 3 each in Daegu and Chungbuk, 2 each in Daejeon, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongnam, and 1 each in Sejong and Ulsan.

Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, no confirmed cases have yet been reported in Jeonnam and Jeju.

Since there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of 0:00 on the 22nd is expected to increase to the low 300s. If the number falls into the 300s, it will be the first time in a week since the 15th (343 cases).

However, if unexpected cluster infection cases emerge, the number of confirmed cases could rise to the mid-to-high 300s. Since the number of tests generally decreases on weekends or holidays, the increase in confirmed cases is not expected to be significant.

The recent trend of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea shows an unstable pattern. During the recent Lunar New Year holiday (February 11?14), the number remained in the 300s, but then cluster infections occurred in workplaces, medical institutions, and other places, increasing cases to the 600s before dropping back to the 400s.

In the past week (February 15?21), the daily new confirmed cases were 343 → 457 → 621 → 621 → 561 → 448 → 416, averaging about 495 cases per day.

On the 17th, medical staff wearing protective suits were present in front of a company within the Jingwan Industrial Complex in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred. According to health authorities, one worker at a company in the Jingwan Industrial Complex tested positive, leading to a full inspection of about 200 employees at the company. So far, 114 have been confirmed positive. The Jingwan Industrial Complex currently houses 59 businesses with approximately 1,200 workers residing there. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Among these, the key indicator for adjusting the 'social distancing' level, locally transmitted cases, averaged 467 per day. Since re-entering the 2.5 social distancing level range (nationwide 400?500 or more cases or rapid doubling) on the 17th (406 cases), the number has remained within the 2.5 level range for five consecutive days.

Major infection cases show confirmed patients emerging indiscriminately across facilities and types such as workplaces, gatherings, and hospitals.

In the plastic manufacturing factory within the Jingwan Industrial Complex in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, the cluster outbreak cases totaled 163 as of the afternoon of this day, and confirmed cases related to the Kiturami Boiler factory in Asan, Chungnam, have reached at least 170.

In Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province, nine residents who visited the same church have tested positive and are receiving treatment.

Additionally, infection chains continue in cases related to Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul; a dance club in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi; athletes and gyms in Yongin; and acquaintances' gatherings in Boryeong, Chungnam.

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