'Unyielding Momentum'... Cumulative COVID-19 Cases Surpass 4,000 in Gangwon-do

Gangneung Area Beaches Closed from 8 PM to 9 AM Next Day
Increase in Residents Testing Positive in Donghae, Yangyang, Sokcho, and Other Areas

Archive photo [Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] As the relentless spread of COVID-19 continues mainly along the east coast of Gangwon Province, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Gangwon has surpassed 4,000.

According to Gangwon health authorities on the 20th, as of 5 p.m. that day, 37 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed: 14 in Gangneung, 6 in Yangyang, 5 in Sokcho, 4 in Wonju, 2 each in Donghae, Hongcheon, and Pyeongchang, and 1 each in Chuncheon and Taebaek. Among these, 27 cases, accounting for 73%, were from the east coast region including Gangneung.

Thus, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the province reached 4,026. This is 62 days after surpassing 3,000 cumulative cases on May 19. In particular, a cluster outbreak centered around massage parlors has occurred recently in Gangneung, where about 100 cases have been reported.

Since July, confirmed cases on the east coast have accounted for 53.6% of all COVID-19 cases in the province. By age group, those in their teens and twenties make up nearly half at 45.8%, and 62% of all confirmed cases are male.

The hospital bed occupancy rate in Gangwon Province is 68.8%, and additional beds need to be secured due to the increase in cases in the Yeongdong region.

Accordingly, Gangneung City has implemented strong quarantine measures, raising social distancing to level 4 from the 19th, the first such move outside the metropolitan area.

Residents testing positive are also increasing in nearby areas such as Donghae, Yangyang, and Sokcho, where level 2 distancing is in effect.

The provincial health authorities stated, "If the spread is not controlled, medical collapse including a shortage of hospital beds could become a reality," and added, "We plan to strengthen quarantine measures until the end of August, when 50% of residents are expected to complete vaccination."

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