New COVID-19 Cases at 110... Back to Three Digits After Four Days (Update)

On the 21st, with a considerable temperature difference causing a rather chilly morning, commuters hurried along the streets of Gwanghwamun, Seoul. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the morning low temperatures are expected to range from 8 to 17 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius. In particular, cold air moving southward from the northwest of the country is expected to cause a significant temperature gap between day and night. In some inland central regions and southern mountainous areas, morning temperatures will drop to around 10 degrees Celsius. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea increased by 110 on the 23rd. The daily new confirmed cases thus returned to triple digits after four days.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on that day, the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases rose by 110 from the previous day’s midnight to 23,216.

Regarding the infection routes of the new confirmed cases, 99 were locally transmitted and 11 were imported from overseas.

Among the locally transmitted cases, 40 were in Seoul, 28 in Gyeonggi, and 5 in Incheon, totaling 73 cases in the metropolitan area. Additionally, 6 cases each were reported in Busan and Gyeongbuk, 4 in Chungnam, 3 in Daegu, 2 each in Gwangju, Ulsan, and Chungbuk, and 1 in Gangwon among other regions.

Of the 11 imported cases, 6 were identified during quarantine upon entry. The remaining cases were confirmed positive while in self-isolation at their residences or temporary living facilities: 2 in Gyeonggi, and 1 each in Busan, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk.

Combining local transmissions and imported cases excluding those detected at quarantine, 40 were in Seoul, 30 in Gyeonggi, and 5 in Incheon, totaling 75 cases in the metropolitan area, accounting for 75.8% of the total. Confirmed cases were reported in 12 cities and provinces nationwide.

The number of patients who have been declared recovered and released from isolation reached 20,650, an increase of 209 from the previous day. The death toll remained at 388, unchanged from the previous day.