490 Local Cases and 15 Imported Cases... Returning to 500s
Government Extends Social Distancing and Other Quarantine Measures for 2 Weeks
On the 12th, when emergency fine dust reduction measures were implemented for two consecutive days across the Seoul metropolitan area, citizens wearing masks hurried on their way to work at Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] On the 27th, the number of new COVID-19 cases rose again to the 500s. It is the first time in 36 days since the 19th of last month (561 cases).
The number of new cases had been fluctuating between 300 and 400 for a while, showing a stagnant pattern, but recently sporadic infections have continued in multi-use facilities, showing an increasing trend. Accordingly, the government extended social distancing and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people for two more weeks until the 11th of next month.
The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on this day, 505 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 101,275. This is 11 more than the previous day (494 cases).
The impact of the 'third wave' that began in mid-November last year has continued for five months into the new year.
From the 21st of this month to this day, the number of new cases over the past week was recorded daily as 456 → 415 → 346 → 428 → 430 → 494 → 505. During this period, there was one day in the 300s, five days in the 400s, and one day in the 500s.
With an average of 439 cases per day over the week, the key indicator for adjusting social distancing levels, the average daily number of locally transmitted cases, is about 422, still within the 2.5 level range (nationwide 400 to 500 or more).
Looking at the infection routes of the new cases on this day, 490 were locally transmitted, and 15 were imported.
By region, the metropolitan area accounted for a total of 306 cases: Seoul 126, Gyeonggi 141, and Incheon 39. The number of cases in the metropolitan area decreased by 30 from the previous day (336) but still remained in the 300s, accounting for 62.4% of all local cases.
Outside the metropolitan area, there were 184 cases in total: Chungbuk 38, Gangwon 35, Busan 33, Daegu 22, Gyeongnam 19, Daejeon and Gyeongbuk 10 each, Gwangju 5, Jeonbuk 4, Ulsan 3, Chungnam and Jeju 2 each, and Sejong 1. With 30s-level cases in Chungbuk, Gangwon, and Busan, this is the highest number in 57 days since January 29 (189 cases).
Recent trends show that infection sources continue in various everyday spaces.
Regarding a church in Jeungpyeong-gun, Chungbuk, 27 people have been confirmed positive since a 20-year-old church member tested positive on the 25th.
In Donghae, Gangwon, 27 people were confirmed positive over two days from the 25th to the 26th. 'Nth transmission' occurred through a restaurant involving customers, owners, their families, and acquaintances, increasing the number of confirmed cases.
In addition, confirmed cases continue nationwide in daycare centers, restaurants and pubs, bathhouses, workplaces, and business sites.
The number of imported cases was 15, down 8 from the previous day (23).
Among them, 3 were identified during airport or port quarantine processes. The remaining 12 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Gyeonggi (4), Ulsan (2), Seoul, Daegu, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk (1 each).
Combining local and imported cases (excluding quarantine), the metropolitan area had 311 cases: Seoul 127, Gyeonggi 145, and Incheon 39. Nationwide, new cases were reported in 16 cities and provinces except Jeonnam.
The death toll increased by 5 from the previous day, totaling 1,721. The domestic average fatality rate is 1.70%.
The number of critically ill patients totaled 103, down 8 from the previous day.
The number of tests conducted at screening clinics on the previous day was 43,165, 379 fewer than the day before (43,544).
The positivity rate, calculated as confirmed cases per number of tests, was 1.17% (505 out of 43,165), slightly up from 1.13% (494 out of 43,544) the previous day. As of midnight on this day, the cumulative positivity rate is 1.34% (101,275 out of 7,572,568).
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