Gyeongnam 542 Confirmed Cases... 'Record High' Renewed in One Day

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju-cheol In] As the 'Omicron' wave has fully begun, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Gyeongnam has entered the 500s for the first time ever, breaking the record for the highest number of confirmed cases in a single day.

Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 26th at 10 a.m. that the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the province increased by 218.

This far exceeded the previous record of 344 confirmed cases on the 24th, which was the highest number of daily confirmed cases. Since 5 p.m. on the 25th, 377 people tested positive overnight, causing a rapid surge in confirmed cases.

By region, there were 185 in Yangsan, 154 in Changwon, 65 in Gimhae, 61 in Geoje, 22 in Jinju, 18 in Hapcheon, 10 in Sacheon, 5 each in Miryang and Sancheong, 3 each in Haman, Hamyang, and Namhae, and 2 each in Tongyeong, Changnyeong, Hadong, and Geochang.

Yangsan had the highest number of new cluster infections, with 62 cases related to sports facilities and 34 cases related to academies.

The Yangsan sports facility cluster began with one user testing positive on the 23rd, followed by cluster infections on the 24th and 25th, resulting in 76 additional confirmed cases so far.

The Yangsan academy cluster started with one staff member testing positive on the 21st, followed by 8 cases on the 23rd, 4 on the 24th, and 36 on the 25th, totaling 49 confirmed cases.

Yangsan city’s quarantine authorities dispatched an immediate response team to conduct in-depth epidemiological investigations and completed disinfection. To prevent further spread, sports facilities will voluntarily close until the 6th of next month, and academies until the 4th of next month.

Among previously classified cluster infection routes, additional confirmed cases include 3 related to a Changnyeong workplace, 7 related to a Changwon entertainment bar, 1 related to a Miryang daycare center, 2 related to a Changwon company VII, 1 related to an indoor sports facility in Jinju, 1 related to a Yangsan day care center, 1 related to a Gimhae daycare center IV, and 4 related to a Changwon medical institution VI.

Less than half of the total confirmed cases, 252 people, were infected through contact with confirmed cases among family and acquaintances within the province.

Fifty-four people tested positive after contact with confirmed cases from other regions, including the metropolitan area. Eleven people entered the country from overseas. The infection routes of the remaining 109 people are under investigation.

Accordingly, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the province has increased to a total of 24,909 (2,684 hospitalized, 22,114 discharged, 111 deaths).

The cumulative number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant virus is 425. As of midnight on the 26th, the bed occupancy rate is 56.8%, and the third-dose vaccination rate relative to the population is 49.7%.

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