COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Reach 582 by 6 PM... 173 More Than Yesterday

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] As the spread of COVID-19 continues, confirmed cases surged nationwide on the 4th as well.

According to health authorities and local governments including Seoul City, from midnight to 6 p.m. on the day, a total of 582 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide. This is 173 more than the 409 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported, 372 cases (63.9%) were in the metropolitan area, and 210 cases (36.1%) were in non-metropolitan areas. By city and province, Seoul reported 219 cases, Gyeonggi 139, Gangwon 48, Gyeongbuk 38, Ulsan 21, Busan and Gyeongnam 20 each, Daejeon 15, Incheon 14, Jeonnam 12, Jeju 10, Chungbuk 8, Gwangju and Chungnam 5 each, and Daegu and Jeonbuk 4 each. Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, Sejong has not yet reported any confirmed cases.

Since there is still time left until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of 0:00 on the 5th is expected to increase to the mid-to-high 600s, possibly around 700. If cases reach the 700 range, it will be the first time in a week since the 28th of last month (769 cases).

Looking at the pattern of confirmed cases so far, the number decreases until the early part of the week due to reduced testing on weekends and holidays, then sharply increases again from midweek, a recurring trend. The recent outbreak shows a pattern where the increase in confirmed cases is driven by numerous small and large 'daily infections' occurring nationwide amid increased mobility in spring.

From the 28th of last month to the 4th, the number of new confirmed cases over the past week was 769 → 679 → 661 → 627 → 606 → 488 → 541, averaging about 624 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 the spread within the community, is about 599, still within the 2.5 level range (nationwide 400?500 or more cases).

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