COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, Domestic Status on the 24th
On the 24th, when the number of new COVID-19 cases decreased to 1,423, the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza showed a quiet scene. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As health authorities are coordinating the timing for the phased return to normal life (With Corona), sporadic COVID-19 cluster infections are occurring across the country.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 24th, at a nursing facility in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, after the first confirmed case was identified on the 21st, 28 additional cases were confirmed. The cumulative number of patients increased to 29 as of that day. This includes the initially discovered facility worker, 5 staff members, and 24 residents. Regarding a nursing home in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province, after the first confirmed case on the 22nd, 15 more cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 16. Among them, 6 were nursing home staff and 10 were residents.
In Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, related to an auto parts manufacturer, the cumulative confirmed cases increased by 19. This includes 18 employees, including the first patient, and one additional infection among the patient's family members. At a logistics center in Pyeongtaek, after the first patient was identified on the 20th, 17 more cases were confirmed, totaling 18. At a glass manufacturing company in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk Province, 17 employees were infected.
Additionally, at a daycare center in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam Province, after the first patient was found on the 21st, 19 more cases were confirmed. Including the first patient, there are 3 daycare staff, 9 children, and 8 family members infected. In Changwon, a cluster infection spread at a clinic, and as of that day, 18 people including visitors, their families, and acquaintances were confirmed positive.
The newly confirmed cases on this day were 1,423, of which 306 (21.5%) were aged 60 or older. There were 21 new deaths, including 17 aged 60 or older and 4 in their 50s. As of this day, there were 316 critically ill patients, with 89 aged 50 or younger. There were also 3 critically ill patients in their 20s. The number of critically ill patients increased to 371 in mid-month but has been gradually decreasing.
Among the 20,390 new confirmed cases in the past two weeks, 7,276 cases (35.7%) are still under investigation with unknown infection routes. This means about one in three cases have unidentified infection routes. Nearly half, 9,604 cases, were infected through contact with previously confirmed patients; 2,740 cases were from local cluster outbreaks; 521 were hospital or nursing home patients; and 249 were imported cases. Officially, there have been no infections from contact with individuals who entered the country from overseas.
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