1071 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide by 6 PM... 22 Fewer Than Previous Day

On the 10th, as the Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market in Seoul was closed due to a COVID-19 cluster infection, citizens visiting the nearby Mapo-gu Public Health Center's screening clinic lined up in long queues for testing. As of midnight that day, the number of new confirmed cases was recorded at 1,594, influenced by a decrease in weekend testing volume. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] As the domestic COVID-19 outbreak continues, confirmed cases have surged nationwide.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments on the 11th, from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day, a total of 1,071 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide. This is 22 fewer than the 1,093 cases recorded at the same time the previous day, and 96 fewer than the 1,167 cases reported a week earlier on October 4.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported that day, the metropolitan area accounted for 781 cases (72.9%), and non-metropolitan areas accounted for 290 cases (27.1%). By city and province, Seoul reported 395 cases, Gyeonggi 308, Incheon 78, Chungbuk 63, Daegu 50, Chungnam 28, Gyeongbuk 24, Busan 24, Gangwon 23, Daejeon 21, Gyeongnam 17, Jeonbuk 12, Jeonnam 8, Ulsan 8, Jeju 7, and Gwangju 5. Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, Sejong has yet to report any confirmed cases.

Since there is still time left until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of 0:00 on the 12th is expected to increase to the 1,200 range, possibly around 1,300. The previous day saw an increase of 204 cases after 6 p.m., closing at a final count of 1,297.

The fourth domestic wave, which began in early July, has continued for more than three months. Daily confirmed cases have recorded four digits for 97 consecutive days since July 7 (1,211 cases). The 12th will mark the 98th day.

Looking at the new confirmed cases reported over the past week from the 5th to the 11th, the daily numbers were 1,574 → 2,027 → 2,425 → 2,175 → 1,953 → 1,594 → 1,297, with three days recording over 2,000 cases.

The average daily number of locally transmitted cases, excluding imported cases, is 1,838.

Major infection cases show that cluster infections continue in schools, childcare facilities, workplaces, and other places. At a daycare center in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, 10 people including children, staff, and family members tested positive since the 7th. At a club in Jung-gu, Daegu, 12 people including staff, users, and acquaintances tested positive since the 9th of this month. At a bathhouse in Haeundae-gu, Busan, 7 people including users were infected since the 6th.