COVID-19 New Cases Remain in the 1,700s for Three Days... Capital Region Accounts for 76.1% (Update)

On the 23rd, when 1,716 new COVID-19 cases were reported, continuing the three-day streak of cases in the 1,700s, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea has remained in the 1,700s for three consecutive days, with the spread continuing mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area. Concerns are growing about a nationwide resurgence next week as the effects of population movement following the Chuseok holiday begin to take full effect.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 23rd at midnight that 1,716 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed domestically, bringing the total to 292,699 (including 14,257 imported cases). Of these, 1,698 were domestic cases and 18 were imported.

By region, Seoul reported 640 cases, Gyeonggi 544, and Incheon 108, totaling 1,292 cases in the metropolitan area, accounting for 76.1%. The proportion of cases occurring in the metropolitan area has remained in the 70% range daily, indicating that the outbreak is not subsiding.

Outside the metropolitan area, there were 406 cases (23.9%) reported: Chungnam 54, Daegu 53, Daejeon 43, Jeonbuk 40, Gwangju 36, Gangwon 30, Gyeongnam 28, Busan and Chungbuk 24 each, Ulsan 22, Gyeongbuk 20, Jeonnam 14, Sejong and Jeju 9 each.

Among the 18 imported cases, 3 were identified during quarantine, and the remaining 15 were confirmed in the community. Five were Korean nationals and 13 were foreigners. Fourteen cases were confirmed from Asian countries excluding China.

The death toll increased by 8 the previous day, bringing the total to 2,427, with a fatality rate of 0.83%. The number of critically ill patients is 312.

The number of newly released from isolation increased by 1,030, totaling 262,842.

The number of suspected cases tested was 38,634. At temporary screening clinics set up in the metropolitan area, 101,192 tests were conducted, resulting in 326 confirmed cases. In non-metropolitan temporary screening clinics, 25,631 tests were conducted, identifying 33 confirmed cases. The total number of tests conducted was 165,457.

On the 23rd, when 1,716 new COVID-19 cases were reported, continuing the three-day streak of cases in the 1,700 range, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 27,400 people received their first dose the previous day, bringing the total number of first-dose recipients to 36,571,05. The vaccination rate for the first dose relative to the population is 71.2%.

On the same day, 15,791 people completed their vaccination, bringing the total number of fully vaccinated individuals to 22,204,741. The vaccination rate for fully vaccinated individuals relative to the population is 43.2%.

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