COVID-19 New Cases 2,224... Critically Ill Patients 405

Over 2,000 New Cases for Five Consecutive Days
Seoul Metropolitan Area Accounts for 77.1%

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Amid the ongoing 4th wave of COVID-19 during the 'gradual recovery of daily life' (With Corona) process, the number of new confirmed cases on the 7th recorded in the 2,200 range, maintaining over 2,000 cases for five consecutive days.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on this day, 2,224 new confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 379,935.

Although it decreased by 24 cases compared to the previous day (2,248 cases), the spread continued as the number remained in the 2,000 range for five consecutive days since the 3rd.

It is 163 cases more than the 2,061 new confirmed cases reported last Saturday (Sunday, October 31, based on the announcement date).

Since the recovery plan began on the 1st, nationwide movement, activities, and gatherings have surged, and the colder weather has increased indoor activities with insufficient ventilation, which has influenced the spread of the epidemic.

Authorities expect that from midweek, when the effect of reduced testing during holidays disappears, new confirmed cases will exceed the mid-2,000s. They have also issued administrative orders to medical institutions in the metropolitan area to secure additional hospital beds in preparation for 7,000 new cases.

On this day, the number of critically ill patients was 405, down by 6 from the previous day (411).

The daily number of critically ill patients over the past week shows an increasing trend: 343 → 347 → 378 → 365 → 382 → 411 → 405.

The death toll increased by 11, totaling 2,967. Among the deceased, 9 were aged 80 or older, and one each in their 70s and 60s. The domestic average fatality rate is 0.78%.

The infection routes of new confirmed cases on this day were 2,204 local transmissions and 20 imported cases.

Looking at the new confirmed cases over the past week from the 1st of last month to this day, the daily numbers were 1,685 → 1,589 → 2,667 → 2,482 → 2,344 → 2,248 → 2,224, with a daily average of 2,177 cases. Excluding imported cases, the daily average of local transmissions is 2,155.

By region, the number of new local confirmed cases is 842 in Seoul, 699 in Gyeonggi, and 158 in Incheon, totaling 1,699 (77.1%) in the metropolitan area, indicating a continued metropolitan-centered spread.

Non-metropolitan areas reported a total of 505 cases (22.9%), including 94 in Gyeongbuk, 66 in Chungnam, 55 in Daegu, 53 in Chungbuk, 44 in Gyeongnam, 41 in Gangwon, 40 in Busan, 31 in Jeonnam, 23 in Daejeon, 22 in Jeonbuk, 19 in Gwangju, 14 in Jeju, 2 in Sejong, and 1 in Ulsan.

The number of imported confirmed cases was 20, down by 9 from the previous day (29).

Combining local transmissions and imported cases (excluding quarantine), the metropolitan area reported 848 in Seoul, 703 in Gyeonggi, and 161 in Incheon, totaling 1,712 cases. Confirmed cases were reported in all 17 cities and provinces nationwide.

The number of suspected patient tests at screening clinics on the previous day was 31,686, and tests at temporary screening clinics were 77,247, totaling 108,933 tests conducted in one day.

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