COVID-19 New Cases 73 Yesterday... Double Digits for Five Consecutive Days (Update)

Central Disease Control Headquarters, Domestic Status as of 0:00 on the 5th

On the last day of the Chuseok holiday, the 4th, returning travelers are passing in front of an AI thermal imaging camera robot at the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The number of newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) confirmed on the 5th was 73. It has been in double digits for five consecutive days since the second day of the Chuseok holiday on the 1st of this month.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of 0:00 a.m. on this day, 64 new cases were estimated to be domestic community infections, and 9 cases were imported from overseas. By region, Seoul reported 19 cases, Incheon 5 cases, and Gyeonggi 27 cases (including 2 imported cases), totaling 51 cases in the metropolitan area alone. Five new cases were confirmed in Busan, four in Ulsan, and 1 to 3 new cases each in Chungnam, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam.

Among the imported cases, 2 were identified during quarantine, and the remaining 7 were confirmed in the community. Seven are Korean nationals, and two are foreigners. The newly confirmed foreign cases are one each from Uzbekistan and Syria.

The number of patients in critical and severe stages increased by 2 from the previous day to 107. One person died the previous day, raising the total domestic death toll to 422. Forty-one patients were released from isolation, bringing the total number of isolated patients to 1,856, a slight increase from the previous day.

Although the holiday period has ended, the special quarantine period will be maintained until the 11th. This is because the possibility of additional infections or transmissions is high due to increased travel and visits during the holiday period. The health authorities urged people who have visited their hometowns or travel destinations and experience symptoms such as fever or cough to get tested at screening clinics.

Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "During the holiday, 312 confirmed cases occurred, averaging 62 cases per day," adding, "Considering the increased interregional movement and interpersonal contact compared to usual, it is difficult to let our guard down."