Newly Confirmed Cases 1,605, Highest on Sunday... 583 in Seoul Alone (Comprehensive)

Rising Concerns Over Quarantine Amidst Hometown Return Procession

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] As COVID-19 spreads again mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, the number of new confirmed cases on the 20th was recorded in the early 1600s. On the same day, about 580 new cases were confirmed in Seoul, the highest ever recorded on a Sunday, raising concerns about the quarantine crisis as the hometown return procession continued.

Highest Number of New Cases on Sunday... 5 Deaths

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on that day, 1,605 new confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 287,536. Although this is 305 fewer than the previous day (1,910), it is the highest number of Sunday cases (announced on Monday) since the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea.

Looking at the number of Sunday cases over the past four weeks, the figures were 1,485 → 1,375 → 1,433 → 1,605, maintaining the 1,300 to 1,400 range for the previous three weeks but sharply rising to the 1,600s this week. This is the highest number of cases on a Sunday due to the re-spread centered on the Seoul metropolitan area.

In particular, large-scale population movement continues due to the Chuseok holiday, raising concerns about a nationwide resurgence after the holiday. Of the new confirmed cases on that day, 1,577 were locally transmitted and 28 were imported.

The fourth wave, which began in early July, has continued for more than two and a half months. The daily confirmed cases have been in four digits for 76 consecutive days since July 7 (1,211 cases). Looking at the new confirmed cases over the past week from the 14th to that day, the daily numbers were 1,495 → 2,780 → 1,942 → 2,008 → 2,087 → 1,910 → 1,605.

The number of deaths increased by 5 from the previous day, totaling 2,409. The domestic average fatality rate is 0.84%. The number of critically ill patients is 332, one less than the previous day (333).

The number of tests conducted at screening clinics for suspected patients and others on the previous day was 30,477, 3,406 fewer than the previous day’s 33,883. It is also 17,183 fewer than the 47,660 tests conducted on the previous weekday. As of midnight on that day, the cumulative domestic positivity rate was 2.05% (287,536 out of 14,050,975 tests).

583 New Cases in Seoul Alone... Highest on a Sunday

In particular, in Seoul, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases on the 19th reached a record high of 583, heightening the sense of crisis. Among them, 578 were domestic infections and 5 were imported cases. Although this is 159 fewer than the previous day (742), it is 27 more than the previous Sunday’s record of 556.

The decrease in the number of confirmed cases in Seoul compared to the previous day is due to a sharp drop in the number of tests from 73,729 on the day before the holiday (17th) to 46,718 on the first day of the holiday (18th). COVID-19 test results are usually notified one day after testing.

The daily number of confirmed cases in Seoul recorded the high 600s for five consecutive days from the 7th to the 11th of this month, then surged to 808 on the 14th, setting a record for the highest number in a single day. Since then, the numbers have been 719 on the 15th, 746 on the 16th, 703 on the 17th, and 742 on the 18th, maintaining the 700s for four consecutive days, indicating a strong spread.

As of midnight on the 20th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Seoul was 91,865. Among them, 80,252 people have been declared recovered and released from isolation, and 10,986 are currently under isolation treatment. One additional death was reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 618.