New COVID-19 Cases Remain in the 500s for Two Consecutive Days (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disease Control Headquarters Domestic Occurrence Status
Non-metropolitan Area Patients Increase by 37 Compared to Previous Day

On the 27th, citizens lined up to get tested for COVID-19 at a screening clinic set up at Dongjak District Office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 27th, the newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were counted at 569. For two consecutive days, more than 500 people have been confirmed positive.

According to the domestic status compiled by the Central Disease Control Headquarters as of 0:00 on that day, 525 patients are presumed to be infected locally, and 44 patients are imported cases. Although the total number of new confirmed cases slightly decreased compared to the previous day (583), there are still more than 500 community infection cases. Considering that the social distancing level 2.5 standard is an average of more than 400 cases per day for a week, this is a considerable level. Based on the recent one-week average, the daily average number of cases is about 383.

While many patients are still emerging in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, cases are also increasing in other regions such as Busan, Gyeongnam, and the Chungcheong area. Among the domestically occurring cases, the number of new confirmed cases in the metropolitan area is 337, accounting for about 64%. The metropolitan area accounted for about 73% the day before. The number of domestic infection cases in non-metropolitan areas increased from 151 the previous day to 188 on this day. Most local governments, including Busan, Daejeon, Ulsan, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam, saw an increase in new confirmed cases compared to the previous day. This is the background for the forecast that it could be the beginning of a nationwide spread.

Among the 44 imported cases, 31 were identified during the quarantine stage, and the rest were confirmed positive while in isolation in the community. By country of departure, the United States had the highest number with 14 cases, followed by Austria with 8, Sweden with 7, and Brazil with 5. There are 13 Korean nationals and 31 foreigners.

The number of patients in isolation increased by 415 to 5,268. More than 3,000 are isolated and receiving treatment in the metropolitan area alone. The number of critically ill patients is 77, one less than the previous day. One person died the previous day, increasing the total number of deaths in the country to 516. The total number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 32,887.