New COVID-19 Cases in 300s for Five Consecutive Days... Considering Step 2 Elevation (Comprehensive)

On the 20th, amid growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) around the university area in Sinchon, a food delivery worker passes by a notice prohibiting entry to outsiders installed in front of Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] As of midnight on the 22nd, the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Korea recorded in the 300s. For five consecutive days, the number has remained in the 300s, prompting health authorities to consider raising the 'social distancing' level to Level 2.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that 330 new cases were confirmed on this day, bringing the total to 30,733. Although this is a decrease from the previous day (386 cases), considering that the number of tests conducted dropped by more than 10,000 compared to weekdays due to the weekend effect, concerns about the spread of COVID-19 are increasing.

This surge is due to simultaneous outbreaks of various sizes occurring nationwide, linked to everyday settings such as schools, academies, religious facilities, and various small gatherings. In particular, recent transmissions have been centered around younger age groups, leading to an accumulation of asymptomatic and mild cases, which in turn accelerates community transmission.

Health authorities believe that the 'third wave' is already underway, following the 'first wave' centered in Daegu and Gyeongbuk in February-March and the 'second wave' centered in the metropolitan area in August-September. Based on the infection reproduction number (currently 1.5), which indicates the transmissibility of COVID-19, they warned that daily confirmed cases could exceed 400 this week and surpass 600 by early December.

Accordingly, the government is considering raising the 'social distancing' level from the current Level 1.5 to Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, where confirmed cases are surging.

New confirmed cases concentrated in the metropolitan area... 219 out of 302 local cases in the metropolitan area

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, among the 302 locally transmitted cases reported on this day, about 70%, or 219 cases, occurred in the metropolitan area. This includes 119 in Seoul, 74 in Gyeonggi, 26 in Incheon, 19 in Gyeongnam, and 13 in three other regions including Gangwon. There were 28 imported cases.

The number of locally transmitted cases has been in the triple digits for 12 consecutive days since the 11th (113 cases). In the metropolitan area, where cases are concentrated, the number decreased by 43 from the previous day (262 cases) but remained in the 200s for three consecutive days following the 20th and 21st (218 → 262 cases). This is the first time since August 28-30 (284 → 244 → 203 cases) that metropolitan area cases have stayed in the 200s for three consecutive days.

This increase is similar to the level seen at the end of August during the 'second wave' centered in the metropolitan area. However, during the second wave, there were seven days in total with three or more consecutive days of 300 or more cases, including the peak on August 27 (441 cases), but there was never a five-day streak of 300 or more cases.

Outside the metropolitan area, cases were reported as follows: 19 in Gyeongnam, 13 in Jeonnam, 12 each in Gangwon and Jeonbuk, 11 in Chungnam, 8 in Gwangju, 6 in Gyeongbuk, and 1 each in Busan and Ulsan. The total number of local cases outside the metropolitan area was 83, down 16 from the previous day (99 cases).

Major infection cases include 41 cumulative confirmed cases from a family and acquaintances cluster in Namdong-gu, Incheon, as of the previous afternoon. Related infections have also surged at the Noryangjin civil service exam academy in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, linked to this cluster, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 69. One student at Sookmyung Girls' High School in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, also tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the school was closed and classes were switched to remote learning.

Additionally, clusters centered around universities continued, including 16 cases at Sunmoon University in Asan, Chungnam, and 10 cases at Gimcheon University in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk. Furthermore, small to medium-sized outbreaks occurred in medical institutions such as the Seoul National University Children's Hospital daytime ward (11 cases), a hospital in Gangseo-gu (28 cases), and Wonkwang University Hospital in Iksan, Jeonbuk (14 cases).

The 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test is 13 days away as of the 20th, and a QR code check-in notice is posted at the Jongno Academy Gangbuk Main Branch in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The government is operating a special quarantine period for the CSAT until December 3, the day of the exam, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

Two additional deaths bring total to 505... cumulative released from isolation 26,466

Among the 28 imported cases on this day, 20 were identified during quarantine inspections at airports or ports. The remaining 8 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Seoul and Chungnam (2 each), and Daegu, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon (1 each).

The death toll increased by 2 from the previous day, reaching a total of 505. The domestic average fatality rate stands at 1.64%. The number of critically ill patients, whose condition is severe or worsening after being confirmed with COVID-19, increased by 1 from the previous day to 87.

The number of COVID-19 diagnostic tests conducted the previous day was 12,144, which is 11,159 fewer than the day before (23,303 tests).

The positivity rate calculated based on the number of tests conducted the previous day was 2.72% (330 positive cases out of 12,144 tests), a significant increase from the previous day's 1.66% (386 positive cases out of 23,303 tests). The cumulative positivity rate as of midnight on this day is 1.06% (30,733 positive cases out of 2,908,890 tests).

Health authorities announce daily COVID-19 patient statistics in South Korea every morning based on data as of midnight of the day.