Confirmed Cases at 6 PM: 323, 3 Fewer Than Yesterday

248 Cases in the Seoul Metropolitan Area · 75 Cases in Non-Metropolitan Areas
No New Confirmed Cases in Daejeon and Sejong

Citizens are getting tested at a temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Plaza on the 20th, marking the first anniversary of the initial confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea. / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Although the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea is showing a decreasing trend, it remains at the level of 300 cases.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments on the 20th, a total of 323 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day. This is 3 fewer than the 326 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

The distribution of confirmed cases by region is 248 cases (76.8%) in the metropolitan area and 75 cases (23.2%) in non-metropolitan areas. By city and province, there were 117 cases in Gyeonggi, 108 in Seoul, 23 in Incheon, 14 in Gyeongnam, 13 in Busan, 8 in Gyeongbuk, 7 each in Daegu, Gangwon, and Chungnam, 5 in Chungbuk, 4 in Jeju, 3 each in Ulsan, Gwangju, and Jeonnam, and 1 in Jeonbuk. No confirmed cases were reported in Daejeon and Sejong.

As of midnight on the 21st, the number of new confirmed cases is expected to increase to the high 300s to around 400. On the 19th, an additional 78 cases were reported from 6 p.m. to midnight, bringing the total to 404 cases. The third wave of the pandemic, which had sustained daily confirmed cases in the thousands, appears to be gradually subsiding.

The number of new confirmed cases in January decreased from 1,027 to the high 300s. The average daily number of new confirmed cases over the past week is 474. The average daily number of locally transmitted cases, which is the criterion for social distancing levels, is 445.

Regarding major infection cases, the number of confirmed cases related to the BTJ World Mission Center in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, operated by the Protestant missionary group Intercessory Prayer Group (Intercop), has increased to 787. The number of infections related to a meat processing company in Yangju, Gyeonggi, has risen to 104. There have been 28 cumulative cases linked to a sauna in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, and 11 confirmed cases from a music academy in Sejong City, indicating ongoing small and large cluster infections.