47 New COVID-19 Cases... Below 50 for the First Time in 46 Days

As the period of enhanced social distancing to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been extended by two weeks, commuters are hurrying near Seoul City Hall on the morning of the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Kim Heung-soon] The number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was recorded at 47 on the 6th. This is the first time in 46 days since February 20 that the daily new cases have fallen below 50. At that time, a 'super-spreader' event occurred within the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu, causing a rapid increase in cases. Until early March, hundreds of new cases were reported daily mainly in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, but with continued high-intensity quarantine measures, further transmission appears to be subsiding.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, as of midnight on this day, 47 additional cases were confirmed, bringing the total cumulative confirmed cases in the country to 10,284. By region, 20 new cases were confirmed in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 15 cases were confirmed in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Daejeon, Chungnam, and Gyeongnam each reported 1 to 2 additional cases. Although it is a daily figure, there are nine metropolitan municipalities, including Busan, with no new cases. Seven new cases were identified during quarantine procedures. The number of patients discharged after recovery increased by 135, reducing the number of patients currently hospitalized and receiving treatment to 3,500.

The pattern of COVID-19 occurrence in Korea is divided around February 18, when the first patient in Daegu, patient number 31, was confirmed. Before that, cases occurred at a rate of about one per day, but afterward, cluster infections centered on Shincheonji Church members in Daegu surged. From late February to early March, hundreds of new cases were reported daily.

Since the 20th of last month, new cases have been around 100, but as the number fell below 50?a sort of target set by the quarantine authorities?interest has grown as to whether this trend will continue. However, since these figures include data from the weekend when fewer diagnostic tests are usually conducted, it is pointed out that more observation is needed. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, 5,571 diagnostic tests were conducted the previous day, about half the number on weekdays.