Nationwide COVID-19 New Cases 922... Expected to Surpass 1,000 by Midnight

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul COVID-19 Vaccination Center Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] As of 6 a.m. on the 17th, the number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide was recorded at 922.

According to the quarantine authorities and local governments including Seoul City, this is 251 fewer than the 1,173 cases recorded at the same time the previous day. It is also 171 fewer compared to 1,093 cases a week ago.

The proportion of confirmed cases in the metropolitan area was 697, accounting for 75.6%, while non-metropolitan areas had 225 cases (24.4%). By city and province, Gyeonggi had the highest number with 315 cases, followed by Seoul with 298 cases. Then came Incheon (84 cases), Daegu (44 cases), Busan (33 cases), and Chungnam (32 cases). There were no confirmed cases in Sejong.

However, with about six hours remaining until midnight, the number of confirmed cases as of 0 a.m. on the 18th, announced the next day, is expected to increase. Considering that 247 cases were added after 6 a.m. the previous day, it is highly likely that the number of new cases for the day will surpass 1,000.

The large-scale outbreak has continued for over 100 days since July 7, when 1,211 new cases were confirmed. Since then, new cases have recorded four digits for three consecutive months.

The main infection routes are cluster infections through markets and multi-use facilities. At Dongdaemun General Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the first confirmed case appeared on the 6th, a total of 55 people have now tested positive. At an indoor sports facility in Gangnam-gu, 10 people have tested positive since the 13th.