1192 People by 9 PM, 186 Fewer Than Yesterday... Highest on a Sunday (Comprehensive)

On the 18th, when the large-scale spread of COVID-19 continued in Korea, citizens lined up in a long queue at the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station to get tested. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on that day, the number of new confirmed cases increased by 1,454, marking the highest figure for a weekend. The number has recorded four digits for 12 consecutive days since the 7th, when it was 1,212. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Due to the impact of the fourth wave of COVID-19, confirmed cases surged nationwide.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments on the 18th, from midnight to 9 p.m. that day, a total of 1,192 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide. This is 186 fewer than the 1,378 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

The decrease in testing during the weekend and holidays influenced the numbers, resulting in slightly fewer cases in the mid-day tally compared to weekdays last week. However, since this is already the highest number recorded on a Sunday, it is difficult to say that the spread has slowed down. The previous record was 1,100 cases on Sunday last week (based on the announcement at midnight on the 12th).

The mid-day tally of confirmed cases at 9 p.m. showed 1,440 → 1,421 → 1,413 → 1,328 → 1,378 → 1,192 from the 13th onward.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported after midnight that day, the metropolitan area accounted for 820 cases (68.8%), and non-metropolitan areas accounted for 372 cases (31.2%). By city and province, confirmed cases were: Seoul 420, Gyeonggi 333, Daejeon 83, Incheon and Gyeongnam 67 each, Busan 64, Daegu 33, Gangwon 25, Chungnam 24, Gyeongbuk 16, Gwangju 14, Ulsan and Jeju 11 each, Jeonnam and Jeonbuk 10 each, Chungbuk 3, and Sejong 1.

Since there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 19th is expected to increase to the high 1,200s, possibly reaching around 1,300. The previous day saw an increase of 76 cases after 9 p.m., with a final total of 1,454.

As the fourth wave has intensified recently, the number of new confirmed cases has remained in the four digits for 12 consecutive days, and the 19th will mark the 13th day. Looking at the daily new confirmed cases from the 12th to the 18th, the numbers were 1,100 → 1,150 → 1,614 → 1,599 → 1,536 → 1,452 → 1,454, averaging about 1,415 cases per day. Excluding imported cases, the average daily local transmission cases were about 1,366.

Major cases include additional infections continuing in everyday places such as saunas, gatherings of acquaintances, and sports facilities.

In the metropolitan area, related to a sauna in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, one employee was first confirmed positive on the 11th, and since then, 101 people have tested positive. Eighteen students belonging to the ice hockey team at Kwangwoon University in Nowon-gu were also confirmed as a cluster. In Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, 22 people were infected related to acquaintances and sports facilities, and in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, 14 infections occurred at a board game cafe.

In non-metropolitan areas, the head of a Taekwondo academy in Seo-gu, Daejeon, was confirmed positive the previous day. Subsequently, a total of 47 people, including students, their parents, and staff, tested positive.

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