COVID-19 New Cases at 255 by 6 PM... 300s Expected Tomorrow

Seoul 105, Gyeonggi 58, Incheon 22... Capital Region 185

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) exceeded 250 as of 6 p.m. on the 21st.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments on the 21st, a total of 255 new confirmed cases were reported nationwide from midnight to 6 p.m. This is 44 fewer than the 299 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

The number of new confirmed cases to be announced as of midnight on the 22nd is expected to decrease slightly compared to today, but it is still forecasted to remain in the 300s. The number of new confirmed cases has recorded over 300 for four consecutive days from the 18th to today (313, 343, 363, 386).

The interim tally of confirmed cases by 17 metropolitan cities and provinces is as follows: Seoul 105, Gyeonggi 58, Incheon 22, Jeonbuk 15, Gangwon 12, Gyeongnam 11, Chungnam 9, Jeonnam 9, Gyeongbuk 6, Gwangju 5, Busan 3, etc. The metropolitan area accounts for 185 cases, and non-metropolitan areas account for 70 cases.

In Seoul, related to the Noryangjin civil service exam academy in Dongjak-gu, additional infections have surged, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 69 as of noon. Additional confirmed cases were also reported in several cluster infection cases such as the international student gathering in Mapo-gu (cumulative 8), sauna in Seocho-gu (41), hospital in Gangseo-gu (28), Cheongryeonsa in Dobong-gu (29), and Seoul National University Children's Hospital (11).

Additional confirmed cases were also reported in the metropolitan area middle school gym-related cluster (90 cases), metropolitan area alumni sports gathering (19 cases), and family and acquaintances gathering in Namdong-gu, Incheon (41 cases).

The quarantine authorities view the current situation as the "initial stage of large-scale spread." The authorities are also considering raising social distancing to level 2 in areas where confirmed cases have surged. Im Sook-young, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters' situation management team, said at the regular briefing on the day, "Looking at the trend of confirmed cases in the metropolitan area and Gangwon region, it seems that the criteria for raising to level 2 will soon be met," adding, "The relevant ministries and local governments are comprehensively assessing the distancing stage criteria and other factors to consider preemptive measures."