COVID-19 New Cases 1,628... Deaths Increase by 13 in One Day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] As the spread of COVID-19 continues, the number of new confirmed cases on the 22nd recorded in the early 1600s, and the cumulative death toll reached 2,215.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on that day, 1,628 new confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 236,366. This is 252 fewer than the previous day (1,880), dropping to the 1600 range for now. Compared to a week ago, last Sunday (15th, as of midnight) with 1,816 cases, it is 188 fewer.

Although the number of confirmed cases has slightly decreased, it is difficult to see the spread slowing down due to a decrease in weekend testing and the impact of rain. In particular, the 'Delta' variant virus of Indian origin, which has stronger transmissibility, is leading this 4th wave, and the effects of large-scale population movement during the summer vacation and Gwangbokjeol holiday period may continue to appear, so the number of confirmed cases could increase further.

Accordingly, the government extended the current 'social distancing' measures (Level 4 in the metropolitan area, Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas) for two weeks until the 5th of next month, while shortening the operating hours for dine-in service at restaurants and cafes in Level 4 areas from 10 PM to 9 PM starting the 23rd.

The 4th wave, which began in earnest early last month, is spreading nationwide, not only in the metropolitan area but also in non-metropolitan areas. The daily confirmed cases have remained in the four-digit range for 47 consecutive days since the 7th of last month (1,211 cases).

Looking at the new confirmed cases over the past week from the 16th to this day, the daily numbers were 1,555 → 1,372 → 1,805 → 2,152 → 2,051 (corrected from 2,052) → 1,880 → 1,628, with at least 1,300 cases daily and sometimes around 2,000.

The daily average over the week was about 1,778 cases, with local transmissions averaging 1,728 cases per day.

Regarding the infection routes of new confirmed cases on this day, 1,590 were local transmissions, and 38 were imported cases.

By region, the metropolitan area accounted for 1,070 cases (67.3%), with Seoul at 493, Gyeonggi at 513, and Incheon at 64.

The metropolitan area's local confirmed cases have remained in the four-digit range for five consecutive days since the 18th (1,107 → 1,364 → 1,299 → 1,193 → 1,070).

Non-metropolitan areas reported a total of 520 cases (32.7%), including Busan 111, Gyeongnam 56, Daegu and Chungnam 50 each, Gyeongbuk 48, Chungbuk 45, Ulsan 36, Jeju 35, Daejeon 23, Gwangju 22, Jeonbuk 20, Gangwon 14, Jeonnam 9, and Sejong 1.

The number of confirmed cases in non-metropolitan areas dropped from the 600s (621 cases) the previous day to the 500s on this day.

Imported cases numbered 38, down 28 from the previous day (66). Nine were identified during airport or port quarantine processes. The remaining 29 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in regions including Gyeonggi (11), Seoul (6), Busan, Incheon, Gyeongbuk (2 each), and Daegu, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongnam (1 each).

Combining local transmissions and imported cases (excluding quarantine), the total was 1,089 cases: Seoul 499, Gyeonggi 524, Incheon 66. Confirmed cases were reported across all 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide.

The death toll increased by 13 from the previous day, reaching a cumulative total of 2,215. The domestic average fatality rate is 0.94%. The number of critically ill patients totaled 395, down 8 from the previous day (403).

The number of suspected cases tested at screening clinics the previous day was 31,742, which is 33,850 fewer than the 65,592 tests conducted the day before, dropping to less than half. Separately, 75,917 tests were conducted at temporary screening clinics nationwide.

So far, a total of 12,664,343 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been conducted at domestic screening clinics, with 236,366 positive cases and 11,749,530 negative cases. The remaining 678,447 tests are awaiting results.

As of midnight on this day, the cumulative positivity rate stands at 1.87% (236,366 out of 12,664,343 tests).

Meanwhile, the CDCH excluded one misreported case in Seoul from the cumulative confirmed cases based on statistics as of midnight on the 20th.

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