COVID-19 Risk Level Raised from 'Low' to 'Moderate' After 6 Weeks Due to Worsening Quarantine Indicators (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] As COVID-19 continues to spread, the risk level of COVID-19 assessed by health authorities has been raised from 'low' to 'medium' for the first time in six weeks. The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 2nd that the weekly COVID-19 risk level for the 4th week of October (23rd to 29th) was evaluated as 'medium' nationwide, in the metropolitan area, and in non-metropolitan areas.

Im Suk-young, head of the CDCH Situation Management Team, stated at a regular briefing, "We considered the overall increase in occurrence indicators such as the number of confirmed cases and new critically ill patients, as well as response capacity indicators like the ICU bed occupancy rate," explaining the reason for raising the weekly COVID-19 risk level. The risk level had remained 'low' nationwide, in the metropolitan area, and in non-metropolitan areas for five weeks since the 3rd week of September. Im added, "Although the weekly number of deaths decreased compared to the previous week, the number of new critically ill patients and hospitalized patients increased, so continuous monitoring of future changes in occurrence is necessary."

Prevention indicators are showing signs of a COVID-19 resurgence. The average daily number of new confirmed cases in the 4th week of October was 33,332, a 35.5% increase from the previous week. The average daily number of critically ill patients in care was 238, the same as the previous week, but the average daily number of deaths was 22, a 5.4% decrease from the previous week. The ICU bed occupancy rate increased for two consecutive weeks, reaching the 20% range. The ICU bed occupancy rate nationwide rose from 18.1% to 23.5%, while in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas it increased from 17.5% and 19.4% to 22.5% and 26.2%, respectively. The infection reproduction number (Rt) increased from 1.09 in the previous week to 1.17, maintaining above 1 for two consecutive weeks. An Rt above 1 indicates 'epidemic spread.'

The proportion of suspected reinfection cases among new confirmed cases rose to 9.87%, up from 9.48% the previous week. This means that about one in ten people newly infected with COVID-19 had been infected before. Im emphasized, "Completing the third vaccination reduces the risk of severe progression by 95% compared to unvaccinated individuals, even if infected after vaccination," adding, "Vaccination remains an effective preventive measure, and completing the third dose is especially important for the elderly and those with underlying conditions."

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