COVID-19 Transmission Rate Exceeds 1.1... "High Potential for Infection Spread" (Summary)

Metropolitan Area Infection Reproduction Number 1.14... Above 1 Indicates 'Epidemic Spread' Level
Unidentified Infection Routes Account for 30% of Cases in Past Week

Citizens waiting in line at a screening clinic for COVID-19 testing Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The government warned that the domestic COVID-19 infection reproduction number has exceeded 1.1, indicating that the spread of COVID-19 may continue. It urged citizens to refrain from gatherings or appointments as much as possible.

Son Youngrae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 18th, "The nationwide infection reproduction number over the past week is 1.1, exceeding 1, which means the possibility of further spread of infections is increasing for the time being."

The infection reproduction number is an indicator showing how many people one confirmed case infects. A value of 1 or higher means 'epidemic spread,' while below 1 means 'epidemic suppression.'

Son explained the recent infection trends, saying, "The infection reproduction number in the Seoul metropolitan area is 1.14, and with an average of over 400 cases occurring, the upward trend of the epidemic is clear."

He added, "In non-metropolitan areas as well, including the Busan and Gyeongnam regions, more than 90 cases per day are occurring, averaging in the 200s. Recently, infections have been increasing in multi-use facilities such as restaurants, pubs, and indoor sports facilities."

Additionally, among the 4,503 newly confirmed cases in the past week, 1,296 (28.8%) have unknown infection routes. This means that about 3 out of every 10 confirmed cases do not know when or where they were infected.

However, the government emphasized that medical response capacity is more flexible compared to the third wave.

He said, "Compared to December last year, the number of critically ill patients has decreased to two-thirds," and added, "Currently, there are 611 available intensive care beds, which is more than ten times the capacity compared to December last year."

Son urged, "The COVID-19 epidemic is continuing to grow. Please refrain from gatherings, appointments, and travel as much as possible."

Regarding the rise in the 'positivity rate' to the 3% range, calculated by confirmed cases per daily test count as of midnight that day, he explained, "We are currently strengthening proactive testing in vulnerable and high-risk facilities."

Son emphasized the need to curb the spread of COVID-19 under the current circumstances.

He stressed, "If the situation worsens further, measures that could harm many low-income groups may need to be considered. Therefore, it is important to shift the current phase to one where the COVID-19 epidemic stabilizes or is suppressed as much as possible."