COVID-19 Cases Surge Worldwide Ahead of Halloween Day Emergency

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] COVID-19 is spreading uncontrollably in the United States and Europe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), after three consecutive days of record-high confirmed cases worldwide since the 22nd, a historic high of 468,409 new daily confirmed cases was recorded on the 24th.

In the United States, based on Johns Hopkins University data, more than 80,000 new cases were reported for three consecutive days. With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holiday seasons approaching, cases are surging rapidly. In South America, Argentina surpassed 1 million confirmed cases on the 19th, followed by Colombia crossing 1 million cases yesterday.

The situation in Europe is even more severe. As of the 25th, France recorded the highest number of new daily cases at 52,010, followed by Italy (21,273), the United Kingdom (19,790), Belgium (17,709), and Germany (9,829), with a total of 201,214 new cases reported across Europe on that day alone. Despite movement restrictions in France, daily new cases have recently ranged between 40,000 and 50,000. Italy has imposed semi-lockdown measures such as business hour restrictions, while Spain declared a national health emergency and imposed curfews nationwide.

In South Korea, as of midnight on the 27th, 88 new confirmed cases were reported, fluctuating around 100 cases. New infections continue to occur in nursing hospitals and care facilities, where elderly and patients with underlying conditions are vulnerable to COVID-19, along with new sporadic infections linked to acquaintances and family gatherings.

Recently, a student at the National Gugak Middle School located in Gaepo-dong tested positive, causing concern among local residents. Fortunately, aside from 34 students who were quarantined due to staggered attendance, no additional contacts have been identified. Students are strictly wearing masks within the school despite the inconvenience and are following quarantine guidelines such as classroom ventilation well.

Additionally, due to the so-called ‘3Cs’ environment?close contact, confined spaces, and crowded places?a cluster infection recently occurred at a local billiard hall. In response, Gangnam-gu conducted on-site inspections last weekend targeting 144 operating billiard halls out of 161 in the area and took administrative measures such as providing non-contact thermometers to help ensure compliance with quarantine rules.

Meanwhile, the quarantine authorities are intensively checking compliance with core quarantine rules in major nightlife districts such as Gangnam Station, Itaewon, and Hongdae during weekend late-night hours until the 31st. Gangnam-gu is also aligning with the government’s policy by applying a ‘one-strike-out’ rule, immediately expelling violators and issuing ‘gathering bans’ or filing charges against the facilities.

Confirmed Cases Status

With six additional cases reported the previous day and today, the cumulative number of confirmed cases is 315.

A resident of Cheongdam-dong tested positive at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center after contact with a confirmed case from another region, and a resident of Daechi-dong was confirmed positive after contact with a previously confirmed Gangnam-gu resident.

A resident of Yeoksam-dong was confirmed positive at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center after showing coughing symptoms, and a resident of Dogok-dong was confirmed after experiencing fever and sputum symptoms.

Another resident of Cheongdam-dong was confirmed positive at Seoul National University Hospital due to fever symptoms, and another resident of Dogok-dong, a family member of a previously confirmed Gangnam-gu resident, was confirmed at Seocho-gu Public Health Center and transferred to Gangnam-gu Public Health Center.

Quarantined Individuals Status

As of today, Gangnam-gu is managing 869 individuals in self-quarantine, including 677 overseas entrants and 192 domestic contacts.

Number of Tests Conducted

The cumulative number of tests conducted at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center screening clinic is 65,632. Of the 1,040 tests conducted the previous day, 51 were overseas entrants and 989 were domestic residents.