COVID-19 Cases Decrease by 29% Compared to Previous Week... "A Time of Hope and Crisis" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As cluster infections in infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals have decreased, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has recently dropped at the largest rate.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), said at a regular briefing on the 19th, "The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the third week of January (January 10?16) was a total of 3,822, a decrease of 1,519 compared to 5,413 in the second week (January 3?9)." He added, "The rate of decrease was 29%, the largest drop recently."

Lee explained, "A more positive indicator is the significant decrease in cases occurring in vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and nursing homes," adding, "The number of patients in nursing hospitals or nursing homes decreased by 41% (237 cases) compared to 578 cases the previous week."

Among confirmed cases, infections through contact with confirmed patients accounted for 43.1% (1,649 cases) in the third week of January, an increase of 3.8 percentage points compared to 39.3% (2,125 cases) in the second week.

Despite the current downward trend, health authorities expressed concern that information about this decrease might send a misleading signal that could loosen vigilance. They explained that the possibility of a resurgence still exists due to increased infections in daily life, the influx of variant viruses, and seasonal factors.

Lee said, "The World Health Organization (WHO) held an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee last week and assessed the international risk related to recent COVID-19 variants as 'very high,'" adding, "As COVID-19 variants persist, we plan to implement strengthened quarantine measures for inbound travelers."

Lee stated, "To thoroughly block the influx of variant viruses, the suspension of flights from the UK will be extended by one week until the 28th of this month, and from the 25th, inbound travelers from Brazil will also be subject to strengthened quarantine measures." The health authorities had previously shortened the diagnostic testing period for all inbound travelers from within 3 days after entry to within 1 day starting from the 18th.

Lee concluded, "This is currently a time when hope and crisis intersect," and said, "The health authorities still consider the situation as one that cannot be taken lightly, and we will continue to respond thoroughly without any relaxation."