[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The average daily number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) remains in double digits but the decline has plateaued. The government stated that although there has not yet been a large-scale surge during the Chuseok and Hangeul Day holidays, there are still concerns as cluster infections continue in vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 18th, the average daily number of new locally transmitted confirmed cases over the past two weeks from the 4th to the 17th of this month was 61.8, a decrease of 4.7 from the previous two weeks (66.5). This period includes part of the Chuseok holiday and the Hangeul Day holiday.
In the metropolitan area, the average daily number of locally transmitted confirmed cases decreased by 5.2 from 51.8 to 46.6, but in non-metropolitan areas, sporadic infections occurred in places such as Busan and Daejeon, causing a slight increase from 14.7 to 15.2.
Indicators such as the number of newly occurring cluster outbreaks and the proportion of patients with unknown infection routes have improved. The number of cluster infections over the recent two weeks decreased from 29 to 24, and among new confirmed cases, those with infection routes classified as 'under investigation' accounted for 16.5% (178 out of 1,082), slightly down from 17.4% in the previous two weeks.
Nevertheless, the government still considers there to be risk factors. The CDSCH stated, "The infection reproduction number remains around 1, and the decline in the number of locally transmitted cases has plateaued," adding, "especially, the metropolitan area is not showing a clear calming trend."
Furthermore, the CDSCH said, "Although the number of cluster infections is decreasing, cluster infections continue in vulnerable facilities with many high-risk groups such as nursing hospitals and rehabilitation hospitals," and reiterated the call to comply with quarantine rules to prevent COVID-19.
As COVID-19 confirmed cases continue to occur mainly in rehabilitation hospitals and nursing hospitals, the government will begin mass diagnostic testing of nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, and psychiatric hospitals in the metropolitan area. The CDSCH explained, "Starting next week, mass diagnostic testing will be conducted targeting nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, and psychiatric hospitals in the metropolitan area, and multifaceted efforts are being made, including strengthening quarantine management for autumn travel."
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