153 New COVID-19 Cases... Increase for Two Consecutive Days (Update)

As social distancing has been prolonged, the number of blood donors has decreased. On the 16th, an official was organizing the storage room at the Seoul Central Blood Center of the Korean Red Cross in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. According to the Korean Red Cross, the blood supply was recorded at 3.8 days' worth on that day. Since it fell below 5 days on the 8th, it has not improved much. Due to the spread of COVID-19, more than 200 schools and institutions have canceled group blood donations since mid-last month, and with the end of collective actions by medical staff, blood usage has increased, making supply management difficult. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 17th, the newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were counted at 153. Domestic community transmission cases numbered 145, continuing an increase for the second consecutive day, rising to the mid-100s. Cases presumed to be imported from overseas were 8.

According to the COVID-19 domestic occurrence data announced by the Central Disease Control Headquarters as of midnight on the same day, 153 new cases were confirmed, raising the total domestic cumulative cases to 22,657. Although the number had dropped to the low 100s earlier this week, it appears to be increasing again as the week progresses. The scale of newly confirmed domestic cases was in double digits for the first three days of this week, but the spread has not been curbed, with numbers rising again on the previous day (105 cases) and continuing to increase on this day.

By region, most cases are in the Seoul metropolitan area. Seoul reported 63 cases (including 1 imported), Gyeonggi Province 54 cases (including 2 imported), and Incheon 7 cases, accounting for over 80% of the total confirmed cases on this day. The cumulative cases in the metropolitan area have increased to 9,768, nearing 10,000. Outside the metropolitan area, Chungnam reported 10 cases (including 1 imported), Gyeongbuk 6 cases, and Gyeongnam 3 cases newly confirmed. Other local governments reported either no new cases or only 1 to 2 cases.

Among the 8 cases presumed to be imported from overseas, 2 were identified during quarantine, and the remaining 6 were detected in the community. Five are Korean nationals, and three are foreigners. The number of severe and critical patients remains at 160, the same as the previous day, and 5 people died yesterday, increasing the cumulative death toll to 372. With 233 people released from isolation the previous day, the number of patients currently isolated and receiving treatment decreased slightly to 2,742.

Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said before the meeting on the day, "COVID-19 confirmed cases are still in the 100s, and about 2,800 people are still receiving treatment. With Chuseok, a period of high mobility, just two weeks away, this is a time when we cannot be complacent."