1192 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide by 6 PM... 71 Fewer Than Yesterday

On the 15th, the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 1,600 for the second consecutive day. Citizens visiting the screening clinic at Gwangjin-gu Public Health Center in Seoul are waiting for their tests. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] As the fourth wave of COVID-19 intensifies, confirmed cases have surged nationwide.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments on the 15th, from midnight to 6 p.m. that day, a total of 1,192 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide. This is 71 fewer than the 1,263 cases reported at the same time the previous day.

As of 6 p.m. that day, the interim tally of confirmed cases recorded 1,006 on the 6th, marking the first time the number exceeded 1,000. Since then, the daily counts were 1,010 → 1,039 → 1,050 → 922 → 921 → 903 → 1,288 → 1,263 → 1,192. After peaking at 1,288 on the 13th, the number slightly decreased for two consecutive days.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported since midnight that day, the metropolitan area accounted for 916 cases (76.8%), and non-metropolitan areas accounted for 276 cases (23.2%). This includes cases imported from overseas. The metropolitan area is expected to show four-digit local transmission cases again following 1,098 cases the previous day.

Confirmed cases were reported in all 17 cities and provinces nationwide. The number of confirmed cases by region was Seoul 487, Gyeonggi 360, Incheon 69, Gyeongnam 65, Busan 49, Daegu 27, Chungnam 26, Daejeon 25, Gangwon 20, Gwangju 17, Gyeongbuk 11, Ulsan, Chungbuk, and Jeju each 9, Sejong 4, Jeonnam 3, and Jeonbuk 2.

Since there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 16th is expected to increase to around 1,400 to 1,500. If additional new cluster infections emerge overnight, the number could reach around 1,600. The previous day saw an increase of 337 cases after 6 p.m., closing at a final count of 1,600.

As the fourth wave spreads comprehensively, the number of new confirmed cases has remained in the four-digit range for nine consecutive days and is expected to continue this streak for ten consecutive days until the 16th. From the 8th to that day, the number of new confirmed cases recorded daily over the past week was 1,316 → 1,378 → 1,324 → 1,100 → 1,150 → 1,615 → 1,600, averaging about 1,355 cases per day.

Among these, the average daily number of locally transmitted cases is about 1,303. The average daily local transmission cases first exceeded 1,000 on the 11th with 1,081 cases. It has recorded over 1,500 cases for two consecutive days recently, and especially in Seoul, the daily average number of confirmed cases has greatly exceeded the level 4 threshold (389 or more), reaching as high as 638 on the 13th.

Recent trends show cluster infections occurring in various places such as convenience facilities, schools, and entertainment establishments. At a sauna located in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, one facility worker was first confirmed positive on the 11th, followed by 7 and 14 additional positive cases on the 13th and 14th respectively, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 22.

Regarding the cluster infection at a daycare center in Dong-gu, Ulsan, 10 more cases were added, bringing the total to 58. Additionally, at an entertainment establishment in Cheonan, Chungnam, 9 more infections were confirmed, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 31.

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