508 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed by 6 PM... Around 600 Expected Tomorrow

Weekend Spread Continues... Expected to Exceed 600 Cases Around Midnight

On the morning of the 16th, citizens are waiting with umbrellas for testing at a temporary screening clinic installed in front of Seongbuk-gu Office in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] As the spread of COVID-19 continues, more than 500 confirmed cases were reported by 6 p.m. on the 16th.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, the total number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day was 508. This is an increase of 7 cases compared to the same time the previous day. Usually, the number of tests decreases on weekends or holidays, leading to a drop in new confirmed cases, but this was not the case on this day.

By region, 320 cases (63%) were reported in the metropolitan area and 188 cases (37%) in non-metropolitan areas. The breakdown was as follows: Seoul 175, Gyeonggi 131, Gangwon 29, Gyeongnam 28, Gyeongbuk 27, Gwangju 23, Chungbuk and Chungnam 16 each, Daegu and Incheon 14 each, Busan 12, Jeonnam 11, Ulsan 6, Daejeon, Jeonbuk, and Jeju 2 each. Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, only Sejong had no new confirmed cases yet.

Since the tally closes at midnight, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 17th is expected to be around 600. On the previous day, 109 cases were added after 6 p.m., closing at 610.

From the 10th to the recent week, the daily new confirmed cases recorded were 463 → 511 → 635 → 715 → 747 → 681 → 610 (as of 6 p.m.). The daily average was about 623 cases.

The key indicator for adjusting the 'social distancing' level, the daily average of locally transmitted cases, was recorded at 598. This still falls within the 2.5 level range (nationwide 400?500 or more cases).

Major cluster outbreaks include 22 soldiers confirmed at an army division in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province. Four additional cases were linked to a cluster infection among foreign workers in Gangneung City, bringing the cumulative confirmed cases to 99.

Three more infections were confirmed among public officials and their families affiliated with Cheonan City Hall in Chungnam, raising the total to 15. In Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, a cluster infection occurred at a large supermarket, resulting in 6 confirmed cases over two days.

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