New COVID-19 Cases Near 100,000 After Chuseok Holiday... 60 Deaths Reported Yesterday (Comprehensive)

On the 14th, with the cool autumn weather continuing, commuters are walking past the blooming sowthistle near Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul on their way to work. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] After the Chuseok holiday, the number of COVID-19 diagnostic tests increased, resulting in nearly 100,000 new confirmed cases nationwide in a single day. Although the number of critically ill patients decreased compared to the previous day, 60 people died from COVID-19 in just one day.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 14th, as of midnight, 93,981 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total cumulative cases to 24,193,038.

The number of new confirmed cases surged by 36,672 from the previous day (57,309), rising back to the 90,000 range for the first time in eight days since the 6th (99,882). This is also 8,452 more than a week ago on the 7th (85,529).

This is interpreted as a rebound in the number of COVID-19 diagnostic tests, which had decreased during the holiday period. As of midnight on the 14th, the number of tests conducted at screening clinics was 230,810, about three times the previous day (84,698) and four times the level during the holiday on the 10th and 11th (50,946 and 48,485 respectively).

From the 8th to the 14th, the daily new confirmed cases were 72,632 → 69,403 → 42,707 → 28,207 → 36,937 → 57,309 → 93,981, averaging 57,310 per day.

Experts say that since this is the first holiday in two years without social distancing, COVID-19 cases will temporarily rebound but it will be a transient phenomenon, and the overall downward trend of the epidemic will continue.

Jung Ki-seok, chairman of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, said in a radio interview the previous day, "(The number of new confirmed cases after the Chuseok holiday) will increase for a while," adding, "Although it dropped to the 60,000 range before the holiday, from tomorrow (the 14th), it will rise significantly, exceed 100,000, maintain that level briefly, and then show a decreasing trend again."

Kim Seong-ho, the 2nd General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting that "the infection reproduction number, which can gauge future trends, was 0.87 last week, marking three consecutive weeks below 1," and "the current epidemic scale has passed its peak and will steadily decrease for a while."

Although the number of confirmed cases increased, the number of critically ill patients decreased by 40 from the previous day to 507. The number of critically ill patients has remained in the 500s for six consecutive days since the 9th. The nationwide critical care bed occupancy rate is 30.2%, with 30.8% in the metropolitan area and 29.0% in non-metropolitan areas.

As of midnight, 60 additional COVID-19 deaths were reported, an increase of 25 from the previous day. By age group, 29 were aged 80 or older, the highest number, followed by 20 in their 70s, 4 each in their 60s and 50s, 2 in their 40s, and 1 in their 20s.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters urged symptomatic individuals to get tested promptly and minimize personal contact before returning to daily life after the holiday. Coordinator Kim emphasized, "For a certain period, please refrain from visiting crowded, enclosed, and close-contact multi-use facilities (the 3Cs), and strictly follow basic prevention rules such as wearing masks indoors, washing hands, and ventilating regularly. School-age children, whose COVID-19 incidence is increasing after school reopening, should check their health daily, and high-risk individuals with underlying conditions should participate in vaccination."

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