431 New COVID-19 Cases, Back to the 400s... 9 More Deaths Reported (Summary)

403 Local Cases - 28 Imported Cases... Total 74,692 Cases, 1,337 Deaths

On the 22nd, when the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea recorded the lowest in over two months, medical staff were collecting specimens at a temporary screening clinic set up in front of Banpo Express Bus Terminal in Seoul. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight that day, the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases was counted at 346. This is the lowest figure since November 23 of last year (271 cases). Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Onyu] As the domestic situation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows a gradual decline, the number of new confirmed cases on the 23rd recorded in the 400s.

Recently, the number of new confirmed cases has been maintained around 300 to 400, but sporadic infections continue in various places, and the proportion of patients with 'unknown infection routes' still exceeds 20%, raising concerns that it is too early to be relieved.

The government plans to decide whether to adjust the current 'social distancing' measures (Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area, Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people, which are in effect until the end of this month, while monitoring the trend of confirmed cases.

◇Among 403 locally transmitted cases, 244 in the metropolitan area, 159 in non-metropolitan areas... Non-metropolitan areas back to triple digits

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 431 new COVID-19 confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 74,692. This is 85 more than the previous day (346 cases).

The domestic COVID-19 'third wave,' which has continued since mid-November last year, peaked on the 25th of last month (1,240 cases) and has been gradually decreasing.

The number of new confirmed cases this month by day was 1027 → 820 → 657 → 1020 → 714 → 838 → 869 → 674 → 641 → 657 → 451 → 537 → 561 → 524 → 512 → 580 → 520 → 389 → 386 → 404 → 400 (corrected from the initial 401) → 346 → 431. Except for the first two days of the new year, all remained below 1,000.

Looking at the infection routes of the new confirmed cases on this day, 403 were locally transmitted, and 28 were imported cases.

By region, the metropolitan area had 244 cases: Seoul 119, Gyeonggi 113, and Incheon 12.

Non-metropolitan areas reported 159 cases: Busan 33, Gyeongnam 32, Daegu 21, Gyeongbuk 18, Chungnam 17, Jeonnam 9, Jeonbuk 7, Gwangju 6, Gangwon 5, Chungbuk 4, Jeju 3, Ulsan 2, and Daejeon and Sejong 1 each. The number of confirmed cases in non-metropolitan areas returned to triple digits.

Major infection cases include 802 confirmed cases related to the BTJ Yeolbang Center in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, and a total of 18 confirmed cases related to a call center in Ansan, Gyeonggi, and a family gathering in Suncheon, Jeonnam.

In addition, sporadic infections of various sizes continued in places such as a sauna in Gangnam-gu, Seoul (total 20 cases), manufacturing in Gimpo, Gyeonggi (11 cases), and an office in Suseong-gu, Daegu (9 cases).

On the 19th, a completion ceremony was held for the emergency treatment beds for critically ill patients (negative pressure isolation ward) at the National Medical Center in Seoul (Central Infectious Disease Hospital). The photo shows the intensive care unit inside the negative pressure isolation ward. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

◇Currently 297 critically ill patients... Confirmed cases reported in all 17 cities and provinces nationwide

There were 28 imported confirmed cases, 4 fewer than the previous day (32). Among them, 12 were identified during quarantine inspections at airports or ports. The remaining 16 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Seoul (8), Gyeonggi (4), Daegu, Gwangju, Gangwon, and Jeonnam (1 each).

Regarding the presumed countries of origin, the United States accounted for the most with 9 cases, followed by Indonesia with 4, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom with 2 each, and Russia, Japan, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Norway, Canada, Egypt, and Nigeria with 1 each. Among the confirmed cases, 16 were Korean nationals and 12 were foreigners.

Combining local transmissions and imported cases (excluding quarantine), the metropolitan area had 256 cases: Seoul 127, Gyeonggi 117, and Incheon 12. Nationwide, new confirmed cases were reported in all 17 cities and provinces.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths increased by 9 from the previous day, totaling 1,337. The domestic average fatality rate is 1.79%.

The number of critically ill patients decreased by 2 from the previous day to 297.

The number of confirmed cases released from isolation increased by 629 to a total of 62,044. The number of confirmed cases currently under isolation treatment is 11,311, down by 207 from the previous day.

As of now, the total number of COVID-19 diagnostic tests conducted domestically is 5,329,707, of which 5,118,386 tested negative, and 136,629 are awaiting results.

The number of tests conducted the previous day was 47,484, 2,866 more than the 44,618 tests conducted the day before.

The positivity rate calculated from the previous day's tests was 0.91% (431 positive cases out of 47,484 tests), up from 0.78% (346 positive cases out of 44,618 tests) the day before. The cumulative positivity rate as of midnight is 1.40% (74,692 positive cases out of 5,329,707 tests).