Daegu·Gyeongbuk Confirmed Cases Increase by 231... Severe Bed Shortage (Update)

Total Confirmed Cases Increase by 256 Overnight to 2,022
Surpasses 2,000 Just Two Days After Passing 1,000
Half of Daegu's Confirmed Cases Unable to Be Hospitalized

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Kim Heung-soon, Jo Hyun-ui] On the morning of the 28th, 256 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were added domestically, bringing the total to 2,022. After surpassing 1,000 cases 37 days after the first patient was reported on the 20th of last month, the number exceeded 2,000 in just two days. Although quarantine authorities and Daegu and Gyeongbuk are increasing hospital beds for patient treatment, they are unable to keep up with the rapid increase in patients.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, 231 new confirmed cases were reported in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions alone that morning. Nine out of every ten new patients came from this area. Based on cumulative patients so far, 80% are from Daegu and Gyeongbuk. In Daegu, diagnostic testing is being prioritized for Shincheonji Church of Jesus Daegu congregation members who show symptoms such as fever and cough, causing the number of patients to rise sharply.

According to the quarantine headquarters, specimen collection for 1,299 symptomatic individuals was completed by the previous day. Considering the time lag until actual test results are available, additional patients are likely to be continuously reported through this weekend. In the Gyeongbuk region, patients mainly stem from sporadic cluster infection cases related to the Shincheonji Church, as well as facilities for the disabled (Chilgok) and Israeli pilgrimage groups (Uiseong). Six new patients were confirmed in Seoul, and four each in Daejeon, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam. Three new cases were reported in Gyeongnam, two in Busan, and one each in Incheon and Chungbuk.

In Daegu, where patients have surged, more than half of the confirmed patients have not been admitted due to lack of hospital beds even after diagnosis. According to Daegu city, out of 1,314 confirmed patients reported to date, only 634 have been hospitalized. The remaining 680 are under self-quarantine. Daegu city confirmed discrepancies between the initially secured list of Shincheonji church members and the list provided by quarantine authorities, and filed charges against the Shincheonji Daegu church leader. It is reported that some foreigners are included among the additional Shincheonji church members added to Daegu city’s management list.