COVID-19 New Cases 2,080... Seoul Records Unprecedented 800-Case Level

On the 15th, as the spread of COVID-19 intensifies mainly in the metropolitan area, medical staff are disinfecting the glass walls at a temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] On the 15th, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases fell below 2,000 again after 6 days, recording 2,080 cases. With over 800 confirmed cases reported in Seoul alone, the proportion of locally transmitted cases in the metropolitan area exceeded 80% again, continuing the spread centered around the metropolitan area.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the day, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases increased by 2,080 from the previous day to 277,989. The infection routes of the new confirmed cases were 2,057 local transmissions and 23 imported cases.

Among the locally transmitted cases, 1,656 cases, accounting for 80.5%, occurred in the metropolitan area: 804 in Seoul, 688 in Gyeonggi, and 164 in Incheon. The 804 cases reported in Seoul represent the highest daily number of confirmed cases by city/province since the domestic outbreak of COVID-19. The previous record was 742 cases confirmed in Daegu on February 29 during the first wave last year. The metropolitan area's weekly average daily new cases also surpassed 1,300 for the first time at 1,300.7 the previous day and set a new record again at 1,326.4 on this day.

Non-metropolitan area cases were counted at 401. By region, the confirmed cases were: ▲Busan 40 ▲Daegu 27 ▲Gwangju 36 ▲Daejeon 37 ▲Ulsan 31 ▲Sejong 8 ▲Gangwon 29 ▲Chungbuk 37 ▲Chungnam 80 ▲Jeonbuk 16 ▲Jeonnam 5 ▲Gyeongbuk 21 ▲Gyeongnam 28 ▲Jeju 6.

There were 23 imported cases. Among them, 5 were detected during quarantine, and 18 were confirmed in the community. Seven were Korean nationals and 16 were foreigners.

On the 13th, citizens who received the COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination center in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, are waiting in the adverse reaction monitoring area. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Meanwhile, as of midnight on the day, 599,970 people received new COVID-19 vaccinations. The cumulative number of first-dose vaccinations reached 34,582,174. The vaccination rate against the total population is 67.3%, and 78.3% among those aged 18 and over. The number of fully vaccinated individuals increased by 223,890 from the previous day to 20,710,283. The vaccination rate for the second dose is 40.3% of the total population and 46.9% among those aged 18 and over.

Reports of suspected adverse reactions after vaccination increased by 10,715 over two days, totaling 227,232 cases. Among the new reports, common adverse reactions such as muscle pain, headache, fever, chills, and nausea after vaccination accounted for most, with 10,393 cases.

Serious adverse reactions included 52 suspected cases of anaphylaxis and 253 additional reports of major neurological and other serious adverse reactions. Deaths after vaccination were also reported: 8 cases with AstraZeneca, 6 with Pfizer, 2 with Moderna, and 1 with Janssen.