As of 6 PM, 1,143 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide... 49 Fewer Than the Previous Day

On the 16th, when the large-scale spread of COVID-19 continued, citizens lined up and waited for testing at the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of 6 p.m. that day, there were 1,143 new confirmed cases nationwide. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Taemin] As the fourth wave of COVID-19 spreads beyond the Seoul metropolitan area to non-metropolitan regions, showing a nationwide expansion pattern, the total number of new confirmed cases nationwide on the 16th was 1,143.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from midnight to 6 p.m. on the same day, the total number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide was 1,143. This is 49 fewer than the 1,192 cases recorded during the same time period the previous day.

Since midnight, the number of confirmed cases by region was 865 (75.7%) in the Seoul metropolitan area and 278 (24.3%) in non-metropolitan areas. The number of confirmed cases by city/province was Seoul 491, Gyeonggi 311, Gyeongnam 64, Incheon 63, Busan 56, Gangwon 41, Daegu 27, Chungnam 18, Daejeon 16, Gyeongbuk 15, Jeju 13, Chungbuk 9, Gwangju 7, Ulsan 6, Jeonnam 4, and Jeonbuk 2. Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, Sejong has yet to report any confirmed cases.

With about six hours remaining until midnight, when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 17th is expected to increase to around 1,500. The previous day, 344 new cases were added after 6 p.m., closing at a total of 1,536.

As the fourth wave spreads comprehensively, the number of new confirmed cases has exceeded 1,000 for ten consecutive days, continuing a four-digit streak for 11 consecutive days through the 17th.

Looking at major cluster outbreaks, additional infections occurred in various places such as military training centers, entertainment establishments, convenience facilities, and hospitals. Regarding the cluster infection at the Nonsan Army Training Center in Chungnam, 8 additional cases were confirmed, bringing the cumulative total to 115. Including 2 trainees confirmed with different infection routes during the same period, the total reaches 117.

Also, at a sauna in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, after one employee was first confirmed positive on the 11th, a total of 52 people have tested positive so far. Additionally, at a general hospital in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, following the confirmation of 2 caregivers on the 15th, 7 more caregivers, patients, guardians, and medical staff tested positive on this day, resulting in a total of 9 confirmed cases.