'1,896 People' Record High in Six Days, Nationwide Massive Spread Due to Delta and Breakthrough Cases

Confirmed Cases in Gyeonggi Area Surpass 500 for the First Time

On the 28th, when the highest number of new COVID-19 cases, 1,896, was recorded, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The spread of COVID-19 is rapidly escalating into a nationwide pandemic phase. The number of new daily confirmed cases has surged to a record high of 1,896. With cases skyrocketing regardless of whether in the metropolitan area or non-metropolitan regions, concerns are growing over the rapid spread of the Delta variant (Indian variant) and the increase in breakthrough infections.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 28th at midnight that the cumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed cases increased by 1,896 from the previous day to 182,265. This surpassed the previous record daily high of 1,842 cases on the 22nd by 6 days. Notably, on the 22nd, the surge was partly due to confirmed cases among the Cheonghae Unit soldiers being counted as imported cases, with local transmissions at 1,533. However, on this day, local transmissions increased significantly to 1,823.

The spread intensified regardless of metropolitan or non-metropolitan areas. The number of locally transmitted cases in the metropolitan area reached 1,212, marking the first time it exceeded 1,200. In particular, Gyeonggi Province reported 543 cases, also the first time surpassing 500 cases. Non-metropolitan areas also exceeded 600 cases for the first time since the first wave centered around Daegu, with 611 cases.

The rapid spread was influenced by the onslaught of the Delta variant. Among 2,436 genetic analyses conducted last week (July 18?24) for variant detection (domestic + imported cases), variants were detected in more than half, 1,412 cases (58.0%). Among the detected variants, the Delta variant accounted for the majority with 1,242 cases (88.0%). The weekly average number of critically ill patients also surged to 213 last week, up from 159 the previous week, which is attributed to the spread of the Delta variant known for its higher hospitalization rate. Lee Sang-won, head of the epidemiological investigation and analysis team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated, "We can now say that the Delta variant is the dominant strain in Korea."

Although COVID-19 vaccines show effectiveness against the Delta variant, their potency is somewhat reduced, and cases of breakthrough infections are becoming prominent. As of the 22nd, 779 breakthrough infection cases were reported among those who had completed the recommended doses of vaccines and passed 14 days after the final dose, amounting to 14.1 cases per 100,000 people. Among 226 randomly selected cases for variant analysis, major variants were confirmed in 72 cases, with the Delta variant being the most frequent at 54 cases.

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