Seoul COVID-19 Cases Increase 2.5 Times in a Week... "Compared to 10,000 Daily Cases in Feb-Mar"

34,429 New Cases on the 1st, Over 3,000 for Two Consecutive Days
Positivity Rate 2.9%... Number of Tests Also Rapidly Increasing Daily
Home Treatment Rate Raised to 90% for 10,000 Cases
PCR Tests and Self-Test Kits to Be Used Together at Screening Clinics from the 29th

On the 26th, when 13,012 new COVID-19 cases were reported, an increase of 4,400 cases in just one day, citizens lined up to get tested at a temporary screening clinic set up near the Express Bus Terminal Station in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases in Seoul has increased 2.5 times compared to the previous week. It is expected that daily cases will expand to the 10,000 range in February to March, prompting adjustments to the medical quarantine system.

On the 27th, Seoul city announced that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the 26th was 3,429, an increase of 251 from the previous day. This set a new daily record. Compared to 1,362 cases a week ago (on the 19th), it is 2.5 times higher.

The daily confirmed cases in Seoul first reached the 3,000 range on the 14th of last month with 3,165 cases, then dropped to the 700 range before turning upward again from the 18th. The city has recorded over 3,000 cases for two consecutive days, including the 25th.

Among the new confirmed cases, 3,385 were domestic transmissions and 44 were imported cases. By age group, confirmed cases are distributed as follows: 20s (31%), teens (17%), 30s (16%), and 40s (13%). The number of confirmed cases with the Omicron variant detected increased by 782 from 1,310 on the 24th, reaching a cumulative total of 2,092.

The positivity rate, which indicates the percentage of positive cases among those tested, is 2.9%. The number of tests conducted increased from 114,653 on the 24th, to 119,881 on the 25th, and 126,349 on the 26th. The number of confirmed cases reported on the 27th, reflecting test results, is expected to rise further.

Park Yumi, Seoul’s Quarantine Control Officer, stated at the COVID-19 briefing that "In preparation for the expected peak of Omicron spread with 10,000 daily cases in Seoul during February to March, we will raise the home treatment rate to over 90%." She added, "We anticipate up to 50,000 home treatment patients by mid-February and will strive to secure more than 750 additional local clinic-level medical institutions for management."

Seoul will expand home treatment and diversify management methods. To prepare for the Omicron spread, the telephone monitoring system will be changed from 2-3 times per week to 1-2 times daily.

Park explained, "We aim to increase the number of managing medical institutions from 75 to 117 by the end of January and raise the maximum manageable patient capacity from 18,960 to 27,860. We will lower the health management level for low-risk, younger home treatment patients and focus health monitoring on high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions to optimize home treatment management."

On the 25th, when the highest ever number of 8,571 new COVID-19 cases was recorded, citizens lined up to get tested at a screening clinic set up at the Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Seoul will provide therapeutic drugs to home treatment patients and rent home oxygen generators to prepare for emergencies. The number of outpatient treatment centers will expand from the current 8 to over 25 by February.

Park added, "We will also ensure a stable supply of oral antiviral medication (Paxlovid) for home treatment patients. The number of designated pharmacies currently operating is 47, which will be expanded to 95 by February. We expect to receive a second supply of medication for 1,780 patients between February 7 and 8 after the Lunar New Year."

The COVID-19 medical response system will also shift to focus on local hospitals and clinics, operating hospital beds primarily for severe patients in preparation for a surge in confirmed cases.

Park explained, "Respiratory patients visiting local clinics will first undergo rapid antigen testing. If the result is negative, they will be prescribed treatment for mild symptoms such as common cold or flu. If positive, a PCR test will confirm COVID-19 infection, and for moderate to severe cases, hospital bed allocation will be requested. Reflecting the reduced severe and mortality rates of Omicron, we will lower hospital and residential treatment center admission rates and increase home treatment rates to prepare for 10,000 daily confirmed cases."

As of the previous day, Seoul’s hospital bed occupancy rates were 20.5% for severe patient dedicated beds, 21.7% for infectious disease dedicated hospitals, and 54.2% for residential treatment centers. There are currently 9,478 patients under home treatment.

The COVID-19 testing system will also be improved. From the 29th, Seoul will use both PCR tests and self-test kits at public health center screening clinics. Self-test kits will also be used at four city-operated testing sites. Temporary screening clinics will begin using them from February 3.

To respond to the Omicron variant, vaccination will be encouraged. Seoul plans to establish a vaccination plan for children aged 5 to 11 by February. The city aims to complete third-dose vaccinations for over 80% of adults. Vaccination rates relative to Seoul’s population are 87.8% for the first dose, 86.6% for the second dose, and 50.1% for the third dose.

As of midnight on the day, Seoul’s cumulative confirmed cases totaled 260,757, with 51,142 patients in isolation. Four additional deaths were reported the previous day, bringing the total to 2,168.

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