103 Consecutive Days of Four-Digit Records
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jin-ho] The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases continues to decline due to factors such as an increase in vaccinated individuals.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 17th at midnight that 1,420 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total to 342,396. This is 198 fewer cases compared to the previous day (1,618 cases).
Amid the ongoing 4th wave of infections that began in early July centered around the Seoul metropolitan area, the daily confirmed cases have remained in the four-digit range for 103 consecutive days since July 7th (1,211 cases).
The number of new confirmed cases has been decreasing for three consecutive weeks. After soaring to 3,270 cases on the 25th of last month following the Chuseok holiday (September 18?22), the number has recently dropped to about half. It is analyzed that the rapidly increasing vaccination rate since last month is suppressing infections.
Regarding the infection routes of new confirmed cases, 1,403 were locally transmitted and 17 were imported from overseas. Among the locally transmitted cases by region, Seoul reported 503 cases, Gyeonggi 489 cases, and Incheon 109 cases, with the metropolitan area accounting for 1,101 cases or 78.5%.
Non-metropolitan areas reported a total of 302 cases (21.5%), including Chungnam 43, Chungbuk 41, Daegu 40, Busan 35, Gyeongnam 29, Gyeongbuk 28, Gangwon 24, Jeonnam 22, Jeonbuk 15, Gwangju and Daejeon 8 each, Jeju 5, and Ulsan 4. No confirmed cases were reported in Sejong.
The number of imported cases was 17, down 7 from the previous day (24). Among these, 8 were identified during airport or port quarantine processes. The remaining 9 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Seoul (3), Gyeonggi (2), Busan, Gwangju, Chungnam, and Gyeongnam (1 each).
The number of COVID-19 related deaths increased by 16 from the previous day, totaling 2,660. The domestic average fatality rate stands at 0.78%. The number of critically ill patients is 348, down 13 from the previous day (361).
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