1937 Confirmed Cases by 9 PM... Over 2000 Cases Again on the 25th (Summary)

On the 24th, when the first dose vaccination rate for COVID-19 in Korea surpassed 50 percent, citizens visiting the COVID-19 vaccination center set up at Bukahyeon Cultural Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, were waiting to receive their vaccines. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea is expected to surge back to the 2,000 range on the 25th.

Typically, the number of confirmed cases decreases at the beginning of the week due to fewer tests being conducted, then peaks midweek on Wednesday, a pattern that has been repeating.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments on the 24th, from midnight to 9 p.m., a total of 1,937 new confirmed cases tested positive for COVID-19, which is 593 more than the same time the previous day.

This is the third-largest figure recorded at the same time of day, following 2,021 cases on the 10th and 1,995 cases on the 18th of this month.

By region, the metropolitan area accounted for 1,258 cases, or 64.9%, while non-metropolitan areas accounted for 679 cases, or 35.1%.

In particular, Seoul reported 645 cases, which is 27 more than the provisional tally of 618 cases at 9 p.m. on the 10th, when the highest single-day record of 660 cases was set.

Cases were also reported across the country, including 500 in Gyeonggi, 113 in Incheon, 98 in Daegu, 87 in Gyeongnam, 76 in Chungnam, 73 in Busan, 71 in Gyeongbuk, 57 in Chungbuk, 56 in Daejeon, 45 in Gangwon, 33 in Ulsan, 27 in Jeju, 21 in Jeonbuk, 20 in Gwangju, 8 in Jeonnam, and 7 in Sejong.

Considering there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 25th is expected to reach at least the 2,000 range, possibly as high as 2,100 to 2,200 cases.

The fourth wave, which began in early last month centered around the metropolitan area, has spread nationwide and the spread has not been contained. The daily confirmed cases have remained in the four-digit range for 49 consecutive days since the 7th of last month, and the 25th will mark the 50th day.

The quarantine authorities expect this spreading trend to continue until next month.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee plenary session the day before, "The outbreak will continue until September, and then gradually decline."

Commissioner Jung added, "It is necessary to raise the first-dose vaccination rate to about 70% before Chuseok to block transmission and prevent progression to severe cases."

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