New COVID-19 Cases Reach 1,400s... Local Transmission Rate Also Surpasses 30%

by Song Seungseop

Published 18 Jul.2021 10:22(KST)

Citizens are lined up waiting for testing at the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Due to the impact of the fourth wave of COVID-19, the number of new confirmed cases reached the 1,400s on the 18th.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on that day, the number of new confirmed cases reached 1,454, the highest for a weekend. The cumulative number of confirmed cases was recorded at 177,951. The number of new confirmed cases increased by 2 from the previous day (1,452), marking four consecutive days of four-digit figures since the 12th.

The number of new confirmed cases surged to 1,614 on the 14th, the highest since the COVID-19 outbreak. Although it has slightly decreased since then, considering the impact of weekend testing volumes, it is difficult to say that the spread has slowed down.

In particular, the spread outside the metropolitan area is intensifying. The proportion of cases occurring in regions outside the metropolitan area exceeded 30% for the first time since the fourth wave. This comes ahead of the peak summer vacation season from late July to early August.

The government has decided to ban private gatherings of five or more people outside the metropolitan area as well. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) plans to finalize related measures at a meeting in the afternoon.