1680 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide by 6 PM... 300 Fewer Than Yesterday

65.9% Occurrence in the Capital Region, 34.1% in Non-Capital Regions

On the 26th, when 2,771 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens visiting Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul are spending their holiday. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Amid the fierce spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea, new confirmed cases were reported across the country on Sunday, the 26th.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day, a total of 1,680 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide. This is 300 fewer than the 1,980 cases reported at the same time the previous day.

However, compared to the mid-day tally of 1,335 cases last Sunday (September 19), it is 345 more.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported that day, 1,107 cases (65.9%) were in the metropolitan area, and 573 cases (34.1%) were in non-metropolitan areas.

By city and province, the numbers were: Gyeonggi 510, Seoul 471, Incheon 126, Daegu 111, Gyeongnam 94, Chungnam 70, Gyeongbuk 68, Chungbuk 56, Busan 42, Daejeon and Jeonbuk 30 each, Gwangju 26, Gangwon 25, Jeonnam 8, Jeju 7, Ulsan 5, and Sejong 1.

Since there is still time left until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced at 0:00 on the 27th is expected to increase further, reaching the 2,000 range.

The fourth wave, which began in early July, has continued for nearly three months, but its momentum has not weakened.

Among these, the average daily number of locally transmitted cases excluding imported cases is around 2,152.

By region, the spread in the metropolitan area remains severe.

Looking at the incidence rate per 100,000 population over the past week, Seoul recorded 8.2, Gyeonggi 5.1, Incheon 4.8, with the metropolitan area average reaching about 6.2. This significantly exceeds the national average of 4.2.

Major cluster infection cases show confirmed cases emerging in everyday places such as markets, daycare centers, and gatherings of acquaintances.

Regarding a daycare center in Ansan city, Gyeonggi, since the 23rd, a total of 18 people including teachers and children tested positive, and at a sports facility in Goyang city, at least 31 people including 15 users were confirmed positive.

Additional confirmed cases were reported related to the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul (cumulative 697 cases), and Jungbu Market in Jung-gu, Seoul (258 cases).

In Daegu, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to gatherings of foreign nationals increased to 316.

Furthermore, new infection chains have been identified at a special school in Cheongju, Chungbuk (11 cases), a gathering of acquaintances in Jeonju, Jeonbuk (6 cases), and a foreigner-run restaurant in Gimhae, Gyeongnam (34 cases), with quarantine authorities conducting epidemiological investigations.