Global COVID-19 Cumulative Cases Surpass 30 Million

Since first reported to the World Health Organization WHO on December 31 last year, the global cumulative confirmed cases reached 30.32 million after 262 days

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The global cumulative number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 30 million 262 days after it was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31 last year.

As of the morning of the 18th, according to the statistics site Worldometer, the global cumulative confirmed cases reached 30.32 million, with the United States, the hardest-hit country, recording 6.87 million cases, India 5.21 million, and Brazil 4.45 million.

Amid rising spread in Europe after the holiday season, Sweden recently saw new daily cases drop to around 100, the lowest among European countries.

Some interpret this as a sign that 'herd immunity' has been achieved, but media analysis suggests it is the effect of belatedly strengthened quarantine measures.

WHO stated that "one in seven confirmed cases worldwide is a healthcare worker," urging safety measures for them. A recent WHO survey found that one in four healthcare workers has suffered from depression and anxiety since the COVID-19 outbreak, and one in three experiences insomnia.

In the United States, hospital-acquired infections continue unabated. According to local reports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that over a nine-week period, about 7,400 people who visited hospitals for other illnesses contracted COVID-19.

Despite being one of the countries with the highest population density globally, South Korea has demonstrated high quarantine effectiveness, proving the excellence of 'K-Quarantine.'

While expressing gratitude to healthcare workers dedicated to responding to COVID-19, I believe the public awareness that 'the safety of healthcare workers is patient safety' has also played a role. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all healthcare workers and public officials who are working hard on the front lines of quarantine, as well as the residents who have diligently followed daily quarantine rules and cooperated willingly despite inconveniences and difficulties.

Confirmed Cases Status

On this day, six additional confirmed cases were reported, bringing the cumulative total to 256. Three residents of Yeoksam-dong were all under self-quarantine after contact with confirmed cases from other regions; among them, one had a sore throat, and two had no symptoms but tested positive at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center.

A resident of Nonhyeon-dong was confirmed positive after showing fever symptoms, and a resident of Daechi-dong tested positive during a test conducted by the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center while under self-quarantine following contact with a confirmed case from another region.

A resident of Dogok-dong was confirmed positive at Gangnam Severance Hospital after developing a sore throat following contact with a confirmed case from another region and was transferred to the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center on the same day.

Self-Quarantine Status

As of this day, Gangnam-gu manages 900 individuals under self-quarantine, including 651 overseas arrivals and 249 domestic contacts. Gangnam-gu detected one person who left their quarantine location without permission and reported them to the police for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

Number of Specimen Tests

The cumulative number of specimen tests conducted at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center screening clinic is 54,626. Among the 327 tests conducted the previous day, 43 were overseas arrivals and 284 were domestic residents.

The proportion of COVID-19 confirmed cases with unknown infection routes continues to rise daily. Over the past two weeks, the proportion of patients with unclear infection routes began increasing from mid-August when cluster infections in the metropolitan area intensified, reaching 25% on the 15th, 25.4% on the 16th, and 26.4% on the 17th, setting new daily records.

Meanwhile, a study found that it is difficult to determine infection status in children and adolescents based solely on symptoms. A research team at Seoul Boramae Hospital investigated 91 patients under 19 years old in Korea from February 18 to March 31 and found that 22% (20 patients) showed no symptoms during the monitoring period, and 85% did not require treatment. They predicted that children and adolescents are likely to be 'silent spreaders' as they may continue activities without knowing they are infected.

District Mayor Jung Soon-gyun concluded, "The quarantine authorities view the upcoming Chuseok holiday as another critical moment. I urge all residents to heed the authorities' warning that 'movement itself is a risk factor' and to refrain from traveling, including to hometowns and for leisure, and to stay home as much as possible during the Chuseok holiday."