No New COVID-19 Cases for Four Consecutive Days... Testing Exceeds 7,000 (Update)

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] No new cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were confirmed on the 14th. It has been four days since the 28th patient was confirmed on the 10th. The number of people tested has steadily increased, surpassing 7,000 on this day.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 4 p.m. on this day, the total number of confirmed cases in the country remains at 28, and 7 patients have been released from isolation, unchanged from the previous day. Since the first patient was confirmed in the country on January 20, the number of cases had steadily increased, but the trend of additional cases seems to have somewhat slowed. The number of patients discharged after recovery is also the same as the previous day.

So far, 7,214 people have undergone virus testing to determine COVID-19 infection. Compared to the same time the previous day, this is an increase of 731 people. Among all those tested, 6,679 have tested negative and been released from isolation, while 535 people, excluding patients (including those discharged), are awaiting test results.

Some patients have almost no symptoms and are expected to be discharged soon, according to health authorities. Among the 21 patients currently undergoing treatment, one is receiving oxygen therapy but is reported to be in better condition than the previous day, said Director Jeong Eun-kyung during a briefing. The remaining 20 patients are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and are maintaining a stable condition.

In the case of COVID-19, even after symptoms improve, patients must undergo two virus tests 48 hours apart and receive negative results to be released from isolation, so actual discharge takes some time. It is expected that no additional discharges will occur in the near future. Among those who returned from Wuhan, China on the 12th and were admitted to temporary facilities, an 8-month-old infant had a fever but tested negative in the virus test.

Director Jeong stated, "It is difficult to predict that the situation is stable or under control, and we need to monitor the trend of additional cases in China," adding, "To prevent unexpected domestic community infections and hospital-acquired infections, we are still tightening the lockdown measures and focusing on blocking community spread."