Itaewon Clubs and Samsung Hospital Impact... New Confirmed Cases in the 30s for the First Time in 9 Days (Update)

Citizens and foreigners are lining up to receive COVID-19 diagnostic tests at the screening clinic of Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] As new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have occurred centered around Itaewon clubs and Samsung Seoul Hospital, the number of new patients has increased again to the 30s range after 9 days.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, as of midnight on the 20th, the number of new patients was 32, bringing the cumulative total to 11,110. It is the first time in 9 days since the 11th (35 cases) that the number of new patients has entered the 30s range.

Excluding imported cases, 24 patients were infected within the local community. There were many confirmed cases in the metropolitan area, with 8 each in Incheon and Gyeonggi, and 6 in Seoul. This is attributed to additional transmission related to Itaewon clubs and patients occurring the previous day at Samsung Seoul Hospital and Gangnam Hospital in Yongin, Gyeonggi. One additional case was also reported each in Daegu and Jeonbuk.

Among the 8 imported cases, 2 were detected through airport quarantine, and the rest were confirmed in the local community in Seoul (4) and Gyeonggi (2). The number of recovered patients who were released from isolation after being confirmed has increased by 128 from the previous day, totaling 10,066, and no additional deaths were reported, maintaining the total at 263.