Confirmed Cases at 731... Vaccine Schedule Disrupted

Over 700 Cases in Six Days... Highest in 98 Days
Hidden Infections Account for Nearly 30% of Total
Blood Clot Controversy with Janssen Following AZ, Vaccination Plans Disrupted

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea has once again surpassed 700 per day. After maintaining the 500s for two consecutive days until the previous day, the number sharply rose to the 700s as the effect of reduced testing over the weekend disappeared. Furthermore, the planned introduction of the Janssen vaccine has been embroiled in controversy over side effects, causing an emergency in vaccine supply as well. ▶Related article on page 2

As of midnight on the 14th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that 731 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed domestically, bringing the total to 111,419. The number of locally transmitted cases was 714, the highest in 98 days since January 7 (832 cases). Recently, the number of confirmed cases during weekdays has shown an increase of more than 200 compared to the beginning of the week. Last week, cases surged from 473 on Monday (5th) to 700 on Thursday (8th). If this trend continues, there is a possibility that daily confirmed cases could approach 800 this week. Over the past week (April 8?14), the average daily new cases were 646, with locally transmitted cases reaching 625.

Various indicators still point to the spread of the outbreak. The proportion of ‘hidden infections’?potential sources of infection in the metropolitan area?accounts for nearly 30% of all confirmed cases. On this day as well, 140 cases were confirmed in a cluster at temporary screening centers in the metropolitan area. Kwon Deok-cheol, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, expressed concern, saying, "The reproduction number exceeds 1.12, and all indicators indicate the seriousness of the situation," adding, "Cluster infections are spreading from multi-use facilities such as entertainment venues, churches, and academies to families, workplaces, and schools."

Concerns have grown that the vaccine supply plan will face setbacks. Although AstraZeneca vaccinations were temporarily suspended due to blood clot concerns and recently resumed for those aged 30 and above, the Janssen vaccine from the U.S. company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is now facing similar controversy. On the 13th (local time), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended halting the use of the Janssen vaccine based on six cases of ‘rare but serious’ blood clots occurring in vaccine recipients. The Janssen vaccine is scheduled to be introduced domestically in the second quarter, with 6 million doses planned.

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