385 New COVID-19 Cases by 6 PM, Down 143 from Previous Day... Mid to Late 400s Expected Tomorrow

On the 30th, citizens are waiting to be tested at the temporary COVID-19 screening center set up at Seoul Station Plaza in Jung-gu. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] As the spread of COVID-19 continues in South Korea, new confirmed cases have been reported across the country on the 2nd.

According to the quarantine authorities and local governments, from midnight to 6 p.m. on this day, a total of 385 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide.

By region, Seoul and Gyeonggi each reported 114 cases, Gyeongnam 41, Gyeongbuk 26, Incheon 14, Busan 12, Daegu and Ulsan 11 each, Chungbuk 9, Gangwon 8, Chungnam 7, Daejeon 6, Jeonbuk and Jeonnam 5 each, Gwangju and Jeju 1 each. No confirmed cases have yet been reported in Sejong.

Since there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases to be announced at midnight on the 3rd is expected to increase to the mid-to-high 400s. On the previous day, 78 additional cases were reported after 6 p.m., bringing the final total to 606. Even if the number of confirmed cases decreases, it is due to a reduction in testing during weekends and holidays, so it is difficult to conclude that the spread is slowing down.

Looking at the recent trend of the outbreak, the increase in confirmed cases is driven by numerous small and large "daily infections" occurring nationwide amid increased springtime mobility. From the 26th of last month to the day before, the number of new confirmed cases over the past week were 499 → 512 → 769 → 679 → 661 → 627 → 606, averaging about 602 cases per day.

Among these, the average daily number of locally transmitted cases, which is a key indicator for adjusting the "social distancing" level and gauging community spread, is about 595, still within the Level 2.5 range (nationwide 400?500 or more cases).

Major infection cases show that cluster infections continue in various daily life settings. Two additional infections related to a cosmetics door-to-door sales company in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, were confirmed, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 38. At a nursing facility for the elderly in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, a total of 18 people tested positive by the 29th of last month, and the 19th confirmed case was reported on this day. The cumulative confirmed cases related to the Air Force 3rd Training Flight Unit in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, stand at 13.

In Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, new infections occurred linked to a wedding (4 cases), a senior citizens' center (7 cases), and a family gathering (1 case). In Asan, Chungnam, three elementary and middle school students tested positive, prompting mass testing of 670 students at the related schools.

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