Daily New COVID-19 Cases Return to 40s After One Day (Comprehensive)

Local Cases Remain in the Low 20s
Most Confirmed Cases in Their 30s

On the afternoon of the 5th, foreigners are resting under parasols at Haeundae Beach in Haeundae-gu, Busan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues both through local transmission and overseas inflow, the number of new confirmed cases on the 12th recorded in the 40s.

The scale of confirmed cases increased as overseas inflow cases relatively rose compared to the previous day. Apart from overseas inflow, the aftermath of cluster infections at door-to-door sales companies in the metropolitan area and Gwangju, along with sporadic infections in various places, continue.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on this day, 44 new COVID-19 confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 13,417. The number of new confirmed cases fluctuated between 40 and 60 since the beginning of this month, dropped to the 30s with 35 cases recorded the previous day for the first time in half a month, but rose back to the 40s in just one day.

Looking at the infection routes of new confirmed cases, 23 were overseas inflow, which is 2 more than the 21 local transmission cases.

Among the 23 overseas inflow cases, about half, 12, were identified during quarantine, and the remaining 11 were confirmed positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities after entering the country?9 in Gyeonggi Province, and 1 each in Gyeongnam and Jeonbuk regions. The number of overseas inflow confirmed cases has remained in double digits for 17 consecutive days since the 26th of last month, coinciding with the global COVID-19 resurgence.

Breaking down the 21 local transmission confirmed cases by city and province, 8 were in Gyeonggi, 7 in Seoul, making 15 in the metropolitan area. Additionally, 5 cases were confirmed in Gwangju and 1 in Daejeon. Combining local infections and overseas inflow, the metropolitan area accounts for 24 cases and Gwangju for 5. Confirmed cases occurred in 6 cities and provinces nationwide.

In the metropolitan area and Gwangju, the aftermath of previously occurred cluster infections continues. In the metropolitan area, related to the existing cluster infection facility, Juyounggwang Church in Anyang City, Gyeonggi, 2 new positive cases were confirmed, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 26 as of noon the previous day. One additional confirmed case each was added related to the metropolitan door-to-door sales gatherings, the Gyeonggi Uijeongbu cluster outbreak, and the Lotte Midopa Gwanghwamun Building in Seoul. In Yongin, Gyeonggi, 4 new confirmed cases were reported, including a 2-year-old sibling pair and their family.

In Gwangju, 6 more people tested positive related to the door-to-door sales cluster infection connected to temples, nursing homes, exam academies, and hospitals, bringing the cumulative confirmed cases to 127. At the badminton club in Buk-gu, Gwangju, after the index patient (first patient) was identified on the 8th, 3 additional cases were confirmed. The health authorities are currently investigating the connection with door-to-door sales. In Daejeon, one more confirmed case related to Seo-gu The Joeun Clinic was added, totaling 18 patients so far.

Among the 44 new confirmed cases on this day, 32 were male and 12 female. By age group, those in their 30s were the most with 13 cases, followed by 9 in their 60s, 6 in their teens, and 5 in their 40s. The number of COVID-19 deaths increased by 1, totaling 289.

The domestic COVID-19 fatality rate is 2.15%, but it rises sharply with age: 2.34% for those in their 60s, 9.39% for those in their 70s, and 25.04% for those aged 80 and above. As of midnight on this day, the number of patients released from isolation increased by 34 to a total of 12,178. The number of confirmed cases under isolation treatment increased by 9 to 950.

So far, a total of 1,402,144 people have been tested for COVID-19. Among them, 1,366,897 tested negative, and the remaining 21,830 are awaiting results.