Again a record high '1,896 people'... Government aims to reverse the decline trend in the Seoul metropolitan area by the end of next week (Comprehensive)

"Metropolitan Area Trend Reverses to Decline, Top Priority to Block Spread in Non-Metropolitan Areas"

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 Reporters Jihee Kim and Chunhee Lee] The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is approaching 2,000, pushing the country into a nationwide pandemic phase. The health authorities plan to tighten quarantine measures with the top priority of reversing the spread in the metropolitan area?the epicenter of the outbreak?into a declining trend by next weekend and blocking the spread to non-metropolitan areas.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 28th, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases increased by 1,896 from the previous day, reaching 193,427. This surpassed the previous record daily high of 1,842 cases reported six days ago on the 22nd. Notably, on the 22nd, the confirmed cases among the Cheonghae Unit soldiers were counted as imported cases, resulting in 1,533 local cases. However, on this day, local cases surged to 1,823.

The spread has 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. Particularly, Gyeonggi Province reported 543 cases, also the first time surpassing 500. Non-metropolitan areas recorded 611 cases, exceeding 600 for the first time since the first wave centered around Daegu.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "Until the 8th, Level 3 social distancing will be implemented in non-metropolitan areas, and Level 4 in the metropolitan area. The goal of this distancing is to reverse the trend in the metropolitan area to a decline and to block the spread in non-metropolitan areas." He emphasized, "The fourth wave is characterized by silent transmission where people unknowingly infect family and acquaintances in daily life, so public cooperation is essential." Authorities believe that after two weeks of Level 4 measures in the metropolitan area, they have succeeded in stabilizing the outbreak there.

The recent rapid spread has been influenced by the Delta variant. Among 2,436 genetic analyses conducted last week (July 18?24) for variant detection (domestic and imported cases), more than half?1,412 cases (58.0%)?were confirmed as variants. Of these, the Delta variant accounted for 1,242 cases (88.0%). The weekly average of critically ill patients also surged to 213 last week from 159 the previous week, which is attributed to the spread of the Delta variant known for its higher hospitalization rate.

In response to calls for revising quarantine measures, Son stated, "The Delta variant does not fundamentally change the nature of infection, but it has faster transmission speed and stronger infectivity than previous viruses." He explained, "Therefore, there is no change in the fundamental response methods. The critical issue is whether the current quarantine system, which integrates social distancing, epidemiological investigations, and diagnostic testing, can keep up with the transmission speed."

Regarding the lack of noticeable reduction in nationwide mobility despite the escalation of social distancing, he analyzed, "The prolonged duration of COVID-19 and extended social distancing measures have caused significant public fatigue." He urged, "We continue to ask the public to refrain from vacations and travel as much as possible and to reduce gatherings and appointments."

Meanwhile, although COVID-19 vaccines show effectiveness against the Delta variant, their potency is somewhat reduced, and breakthrough infections are becoming prominent. As of the 22nd, 779 breakthrough infection cases were reported among those who had completed the recommended vaccination doses at least 14 days prior, equating to 14.1 cases per 100,000 people. Among 226 randomly selected cases for variant analysis, 72 were confirmed to have major variants, with the Delta variant being the most common at 54 cases.

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