Seoul COVID-19 Positivity Rate Hits Highest This Year at 1.9%... 676 New Cases Reported

On Sunday the 19th, 'Record High Cases' Followed by 'Increased Positive Rate' on Monday the 20th... Concerns Over Spread During Chuseok Holiday

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Concerns are growing over the spread of COVID-19 in Seoul during the Chuseok holiday. On Sunday the 19th, the number of new confirmed cases reached a record high, and on the 20th, the positivity rate soared to 1.9%, marking the highest level this year.

According to Seoul City on the 21st, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Seoul on the 20th was 676, an increase of 93 cases compared to the previous day, the 19th, and 139 cases compared to a week earlier on the 13th. Cases classified as cluster infections numbered 120, while 284 cases were not part of any cluster, and 242 cases with unknown infection routes are still under investigation.

The positivity rate on the 20th rose to 1.9%, the highest level this year. Compared to the recent 15-day average of 1.1%, this is a sharp increase of 0.8 percentage points. Although the number of tests remained in the 70,000 range until the 17th and then decreased starting from the 18th when the holiday began, the number of confirmed cases continued the previous trend.

In particular, cluster infections through traditional markets have been steadily continuing. The cluster infection at Jungbu Market in Jung-gu increased by 66 cases in just one day on the 20th, bringing the cumulative total to 127. The cluster infection at Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu increased by 28 cases from the previous day, reaching 339 cases.

Seoul City and the Central Disease Control Headquarters are closely monitoring the COVID-19 spread situation following the Chuseok holiday. On the 18th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the Seoul Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Center and urged, "Since the response during the holiday will determine the wave of the 4th major outbreak, please respond thoroughly." On the 19th, Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at a Central Disaster Headquarters meeting, "The number of confirmed cases in the metropolitan area has been continuously increasing over the past week," and emphasized, "The volume of movement during the Chuseok holiday is expected to increase compared to last year, raising concerns about nationwide spread. Please minimize not only movement but also gathering times."

Meanwhile, as of the 20th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Seoul reached 92,532, with 11,394 patients currently in isolation and treatment. The death toll increased by 2, bringing the total to 620.