As of 6 PM, 1,308 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide... 140 Fewer Than Previous Day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues, confirmed cases surged again on the 28th.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, a total of 1,308 new confirmed cases tested positive for COVID-19 from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day. This is 140 fewer than the 1,448 cases recorded at the same time the previous day. It is 35 more than the 1,273 cases recorded at 6 p.m. last Saturday (the 21st), a week ago.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported that day, 925 cases (70.7%) were in the metropolitan area, and 383 cases (29.3%) were in non-metropolitan areas. By city and province, Seoul reported 455 cases, Gyeonggi 387, Incheon 83, Gyeongbuk 54, Daegu 52, Busan 50, Gyeongnam 38, Chungnam 35, Chungbuk 26, Gangwon 24, Ulsan and Jeonnam 22 each, Gwangju 18, Jeonbuk 17, Jeju 13, and Daejeon 12. Confirmed cases were reported in 16 cities and provinces nationwide, excluding Sejong.

Since there is still time left until midnight, when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of 0 a.m. on the 29th is expected to increase to the 1,600s, possibly around 1,700. The previous day, 345 cases were added after 6 p.m., closing at a final count of 1,793.

The fourth wave, which began in early last month centered on the metropolitan area, has recently spread to various non-metropolitan areas, showing a nationwide trend. The daily confirmed cases have remained in four digits for 53 consecutive days since the 7th of last month (1,211 cases), and the 28th marks the 54th day.

Looking at the new confirmed cases over the past week (August 21?27), the daily numbers were 1,626 → 1,417 → 1,508 → 2,154 → 1,882 → 1,841 → 1,793, averaging about 1,746 cases per day. Among these, the average daily number of locally transmitted cases, excluding imported cases, was approximately 1,703.

Recent major cluster outbreaks have been confirmed in workplaces, multi-use facilities, schools, and other places. In Seocho-gu, Seoul, related to a workplace (12th case), 17 employees tested positive. At a livestock product processing plant in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi, 19 people were confirmed positive. At a swimming pool in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi, a total of 18 users and employees were infected. Regarding an English academy (2nd case) in Namyangju-si, 13 people tested positive, including 8 students, 4 instructors, and 1 family member. At a high school in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon, 18 students were simultaneously confirmed positive. Among them, 9 were members of the school sports team and were found to have lived in the dormitory.

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