Continued Cluster Infections in Seoul Metropolitan Area and Churches... 36 New COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19, 36 New Cases on the 9th

COVID-19 Screening Clinic (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues mainly in the metropolitan area, the number of new confirmed cases recorded 36 on the 9th.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on that day, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases increased by 36, bringing the total to 14,598.

The number of new confirmed cases that day was five times higher in local transmissions (30 cases) than in imported cases (6 cases). The metropolitan area had many confirmed cases, including Seoul (11), Gyeonggi (14), and Incheon (1). As of August, the daily number of new confirmed cases has been fluctuating between 20 and 40. In particular, cluster infections in religious facilities such as churches continue to spread.

The number of confirmed cases related to 'Banseok Church' in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province reached a cumulative total of 22. This church cluster infection has already spread to the local community through 'City Forest Children's Daycare Center' via secondary transmission. The number of confirmed cases at 'Gippeum 153 Church' in Jugyo-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si also increased by 3, reaching a cumulative total of 18.

In Seoul, two residents of Dongjak-gu tested positive newly the day before in connection with a missionary meeting, and one additional confirmed case was reported related to a family in Seongdong-gu.

The number of imported confirmed cases dropped to single digits for the first time in 45 days since June 25 (5 cases). Looking at the nationality of the confirmed cases, 5 are foreigners and 1 is a Korean national. Among them, 4 confirmed cases were imported from India, followed by 1 case each from the Philippines and Mexico.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths increased by 1, bringing the total to 305. The number of confirmed cases released from isolation by midnight that day increased by 13, totaling 13,642. The number of patients undergoing isolation treatment increased by 22 to 651, of whom 16 are in critical or severe condition.