1662 Cases by 6 PM, 34 More Than Yesterday... Signs of Re-spread Centered in the Capital Area

On the 8th, when the number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea reached the 2,000s, the temporary screening clinic in front of Seoul City Hall was crowded with citizens seeking tests. A record high of 1,476 cases was reported in the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon. The daily number of confirmed cases has remained in the four digits for 64 consecutive days since the 7th of last month (1,211 cases). Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues domestically, new confirmed cases were reported nationwide on the 8th as well.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from midnight to 6 p.m. on the day, a total of 1,662 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide.

This is 34 more than the 1,628 cases reported at the same time the previous day. Compared to the mid-day tally of 1,498 cases last Wednesday (the 1st), it is 164 more.

By region, the metropolitan area accounted for 1,166 cases (70.2%), and non-metropolitan areas accounted for 496 cases (29.8%).

By city and province, Seoul reported 547 cases, Gyeonggi 521, Chungnam 133, Incheon 98, Gyeongnam 71, Daegu 45, Ulsan 34, Busan and Gyeongbuk each 33, Gangwon 30, Chungbuk 28, Jeju 21, Gwangju 19, Daejeon 18, Jeonnam 17, Jeonbuk 13, and Sejong 1.

Recently, the spread in the metropolitan area, where the population is concentrated, is intensifying again, raising concerns that the scale of the epidemic may grow further.

The daily confirmed cases have remained in the four digits for 64 consecutive days since July 7 (1,211 cases), and the 65th day will be on the 9th.

Looking at the new confirmed cases reported in the past week from the 2nd of this month to the day, the daily numbers were 1,961 → 1,708 → 1,804 → 1,490 → 1,375 → 1,597 → 2,050, averaging 1,712 cases per day. Among these, the average daily locally transmitted cases excluding imported cases were 1,681.

Major clusters have been occurring around churches, schools, and workplaces. In a church in Asan city, Chungnam, a large-scale cluster infection occurred. After one worshipper tested positive on the 6th, a large number of cases followed, totaling 88 confirmed worshippers so far.

In Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 38 people were infected across elementary schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers since the 4th. Among them, 13 were related to elementary schools, and 25 were related to kindergartens and daycare centers.

At an alternative school in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, after two students tested positive on the 6th of this month, 18 more cases were confirmed the day before, including 17 students and one teacher.

At a shipbuilding company in Geoje, Gyeongnam, a total of 13 people, including 7 workers and 6 family members, tested positive.

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