Second Largest Scale Even on Weekend... 82 Consecutive Days of Four-Digit Cases
Impact of Increased Mobility During Chuseok Holiday... Concerns Over Massive Spread
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea was recorded at 2,771, marking the second highest ever. This is attributed to the intensified spread through local infections caused by the Delta variant, despite it being a weekend. Given the high population movement before and after the Chuseok holiday, there are concerns about a nationwide large-scale outbreak.
On the 26th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, there were 2,771 new confirmed cases and 9 new deaths. This brings the total confirmed cases to 301,172 and total deaths to 2,450. Although this is 502 fewer than the previous record high of 3,273 cases the day before, it remains the second largest number ever recorded.
This is the largest number recorded on a weekend. It is 862 more than the 1,909 cases recorded at midnight on Saturday the 18th last week. The cumulative number of confirmed cases also surpassed 300,000 for the first time. It took 615 days since the first confirmed case in the country on January 20 last year, and only 55 days since surpassing 200,000 cases on the 2nd of last month, to exceed 300,000 cases.
Among the new confirmed cases on this day, 2,735 were from local infections and 36 were imported cases, indicating a severe spread due to local transmission. The fourth wave, which began in early July, has continued for nearly three months without showing signs of slowing down.
In particular, the Delta variant, known for its high transmissibility, is leading the outbreak. The combination of the summer vacation season and the Chuseok holiday has significantly increased population movement, creating multiple factors that contribute to concerns about a nationwide large-scale outbreak. Early next month, there will be two consecutive three-day holidays for Gaecheonjeol and Hangeul Day, which are also considered risk factors for a large-scale spread.
The daily number of confirmed cases has been in the four-digit range for 82 consecutive days since July 7, when 1,211 cases were recorded. Looking at the new confirmed cases over the past week from the 20th to this day, the daily counts were 1,604 → 1,729 → 1,720 → 1,715 → 2,431 → 3,273 → 2,771, with at least 1,600 cases reported each day consecutively.
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