New COVID-19 Cases 371 by 6 PM... 4 Fewer Than Yesterday, Likely Below 500 Tomorrow

On the 9th, when 564 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the daily count back to the 500s, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station lined up to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the spread of COVID-19 continues in various places, new confirmed cases were reported nationwide on the 10th as well. According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, a total of 371 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day. This is 4 fewer than the 375 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

The decrease in the interim confirmed cases reflects the reduced number of tests conducted over the weekend and holidays, so it is difficult to conclude that the recent spread has subsided. Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported that day, 268 cases (72.2%) were in the metropolitan area, and 103 cases (27.8%) were in non-metropolitan areas.

By city and province, there were 144 cases in Seoul, 106 in Gyeonggi, 18 in Incheon, 14 in Gyeongbuk, 13 each in Busan and Gwangju, 10 each in Gangwon and Chungnam, 9 in Gyeongnam, 8 in Jeju, 7 in Jeonbuk, 6 in Ulsan, 5 in Daejeon, 3 each in Jeonnam and Chungbuk, and 2 in Daegu. Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, Sejong has not yet reported any confirmed cases.

Since there is still time until midnight when the tally is finalized, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 11th is expected to increase to the mid-to-high 400s, possibly reaching around 500. On the previous day, 88 additional cases were reported after 6 p.m., bringing the final total to 463.

Looking at the recent pattern of confirmed cases, the '4th wave' continues as cluster infections occur nationwide. From the 4th to the 10th, the daily new confirmed cases were 541 → 676 → 574 → 525 → 701 → 564 → 463, averaging about 578 new cases per day. Among these, the daily average of locally transmitted cases, which is a key indicator for adjusting the 'social distancing' level and gauging the community spread, is about 552, still within the 2.5 level range (nationwide 400?500 or more cases).

Major new infection cases include ongoing transmission among family and acquaintances, missionary centers, temples, and university hospitals. In Seoul, new cluster outbreaks were reported at an elementary school in Gangnam-gu (cumulative 17 cases), a restaurant in Gangbuk-gu (11 cases), and a university hospital in Dongjak-gu (13 cases). At a missionary center in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi, 13 people including visitors, family, and colleagues were infected, and related to the third cluster infection among a family and acquaintances in the same area, 10 confirmed cases were reported. In non-metropolitan areas, infection cases were confirmed at a temple in Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk (cumulative 9 cases), a vinyl greenhouse workplace in Gimcheon-si, Gyeongbuk (8 cases), and a sports facility in Dalseo-gu, Daegu (6 cases).

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