222 New Confirmed Cases by 6 PM on the 22nd... Expected to Reach 300s Tomorrow

222 New Confirmed Cases by 6 PM on the 22nd

On the 19th, when the strengthened Level 2 social distancing measures were implemented in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, were quiet. From this day, the quarantine authorities enforced full Level 2 social distancing measures in the metropolitan area. Gatherings and events with more than 50 people indoors or more than 100 people outdoors are, in principle, prohibited until the 30th of this month. Private gatherings such as exhibitions, public hearings, commemorative ceremonies, recruitment exams, weddings, alumni meetings, 60th birthday parties, funerals, and first birthday parties cannot be held with many people gathered together. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As the government decided to raise social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area to Level 2 starting at midnight on the 24th, the total number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide from midnight to 6 p.m. on the 22nd was recorded at 222.

This is 33 fewer cases than the 255 recorded at the same time the previous day.

Since the number of COVID-19 tests usually decreases on weekends and holidays compared to weekdays, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of midnight on the 23rd is expected to be somewhat lower than today's 330 cases.

However, considering the remaining time until midnight when the tally closes, the number is expected to be around 300. From the 18th to today, the number of new confirmed cases has remained in the 300s for five consecutive days (313 → 343 → 363 → 386 → 330).

Looking at the interim confirmed cases by 17 cities and provinces: Seoul 90, Gyeonggi 61, Incheon 26, Gangwon 13, Chungnam 9, Jeonbuk 5, Gyeongnam 5, Busan 4, Daejeon 3, Ulsan 2, Jeonnam 2, Daegu 1, Gyeongbuk 1.

The Seoul metropolitan area accounts for 177 cases, and non-metropolitan areas account for 45 cases.

Regarding major outbreak cases in Seoul, additional infections have surged related to the Noryangjin Civil Service Exam Academy in Dongjak-gu, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 76 as of noon on the same day.

Also, additional confirmed cases occurred in several cluster infection cases such as ▲ a high school in Dongdaemun-gu (cumulative 34 cases) ▲ a university in Seodaemun-gu (24 cases).

Besides these, confirmed cases increased in ▲ alumni sports gatherings in the metropolitan area (24 cases) ▲ family and acquaintances gatherings in Namdong-gu, Incheon (45 cases) ▲ kids cafe in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi (34 cases) ▲ manufacturing company in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi (14 cases).

The quarantine authorities announced that social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area and Honam region will be raised to Level 2 and Level 1.5 respectively from the 24th, urging each citizen to maintain vigilance and change their behavior.