Average Daily New Cases of 1,798.7 Over One Week... Spread of Infections in the Capital Area (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The average daily number of new COVID-19 cases reported domestically over the past week was 1,798.7, marking a 4.3% increase compared to the previous week. Notably, the metropolitan area saw a 12.2% rise, reaching a record high. The COVID-19 reproduction number nationwide was 1.03.

On the 22nd, the Central Disease Control Headquarters released the weekly COVID-19 incidence trends reflecting these figures. The average daily new cases domestically over the past week were 1,798.7, with 1,384.3 in the metropolitan area and 414.4 in non-metropolitan areas. While the metropolitan area experienced a 12.2% increase compared to the previous week, non-metropolitan areas saw a 15.7% decrease.

The weekly reproduction number (Rt) was 1.03 nationwide, up from 1.01 the previous week; it was 1.08 in the metropolitan area and 0.90 in non-metropolitan areas. Nationwide Rt has shown the following trend: 0.99 in the fourth week of August, then 0.98 (week 1 of September) → 1.01 (week 2 of September) → 1.03 (week 3 of September).

Imported cases averaged 29.7 per day (total 208), a 12.6% decrease from the previous week (34.0 → 29.7).

Regarding infection routes, ‘contact with confirmed cases’ through personal interactions such as family, acquaintances, and workplaces accounted for 47.0% (6,020 cases), and the ‘under investigation’ category was 39.1% (5,008 cases), both maintaining a continuous upward trend.

There were a total of 44 new cluster infections: 14 in multi-use facilities (restaurants, indoor sports facilities, entertainment venues, bathhouses, etc.), 15 in workplaces, 10 in educational facilities (schools, academies, kindergartens, etc.), 2 in medical institutions, 2 in religious facilities, and 1 in family and acquaintance gatherings.

The weekly average number of critically ill patients was 342 (down from 363 the previous week), and deaths numbered 36, a decrease from 43 the previous week. By age group, in the third week of September, critically ill patients were most numerous among those aged 60 and above at 166 (48.5%), followed by those in their 40s and 50s at 144 (42.1%), and those aged 30 and below at 32 (9.4%).

During this period, deaths were highest among those aged 60 and above at 27 (75%), followed by 8 (22.2%) in their 40s and 50s, and 1 (2.8%) in their 30s.

Examining vaccination status among critically ill and deceased patients, from May to August 14 this year, out of a total of 101,285 confirmed cases, 90.3% (91,495) were unvaccinated, 7.3% (7,395) had received the first dose, and 2.4% (2,395) were fully vaccinated. Among critically ill and deceased patients totaling 2,240 (2.21%), 87.5% (1,959/2,240) were unvaccinated, 10.8% (242) had received the first dose, and 1.7% (39) were fully vaccinated.

Among those under 60, unvaccinated individuals accounted for 98.3% (1,174/1,194), first dose recipients 1.34% (16), and fully vaccinated 0.34% (4). For those aged 60 and above, unvaccinated were 75.0% (785/1,046), first dose recipients 21.6% (226), and fully vaccinated 3.35% (35).

The Central Disease Control Headquarters stated that with the continued spread in the metropolitan area and an increase in incidence among school-age groups following the expansion of in-person classes for elementary, middle, and high schools, there is concern that nationwide outbreaks may worsen due to increased movement and expanded private gatherings during the Chuseok holiday period.

The metropolitan area continues to see a deepening outbreak, with the weekly average daily confirmed cases reaching a new high of 1,384.3. Regionally, many cases were concentrated in areas with large foreign resident and worker populations or industrial complexes, such as Songpa, Gangnam, Yeongdeungpo, Guro (Seoul), Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Ansan (Gyeonggi), and Yeonsu-gu (Incheon).

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters urged, "Citizens should refrain from private gatherings as much as possible. We especially request active cooperation from young and middle-aged adults who have high mobility. Since there is a high possibility of unknowingly spreading the virus through asymptomatic infection during family and acquaintance gatherings over Chuseok, please be sure to get tested before returning home even if you have no symptoms."

Additionally, since July, there have been five cluster outbreaks involving more than 100 cases related to indoor sports facilities. Since July, there have been a total of 74 cluster infections linked to indoor sports facilities, involving 2,685 cases, with an average of 36 cases per cluster. Major risk factors include the emission of large amounts of droplets through intense inhalation and exhalation during vigorous exercise and exposure to other users (e.g., martial arts, circuit training), exposure in crowded shower and changing rooms (swimming pools), physical contact sports (judo, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, mixed martial arts), overlapping exposure due to some workers working simultaneously at two or more facilities, and delayed testing of facility workers (4 days).

Meanwhile, 4,625,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine directly contracted by the Korean government from the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer arrived in Korea around 12:45 PM today on Korean Air flight KE9518. This is part of the 66 million doses directly contracted by the government with Pfizer. The government plans to continue close consultations with pharmaceutical companies to ensure stable vaccine supply and will promptly announce specific supply schedules after discussions.