Rapid Surge in COVID-19 Cases Centered in the Capital Area... 2,518 Confirmed by 6 PM, Up 697

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] As the 'gradual recovery of daily life' continues for the fourth week, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is rapidly increasing. On the 23rd, COVID-19 cases were reported across the country one after another.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day, a total of 2,518 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide. This is the total number of confirmed cases from 16 out of 17 metropolitan cities and provinces, excluding Busan.

Compared to the same time the previous day (1,821 cases), this is 697 more, and compared to the same time a week ago on the 16th (1,950 cases), it is 568 more.

Usually, at the beginning of the week, the number of confirmed cases decreases as the number of tests conducted over the weekend and holidays drops, but tends to surge again from midweek.

Looking at the regions where confirmed cases were reported on that day, 1,821 cases were in the metropolitan area, and 697 cases were in non-metropolitan areas. By the 16 metropolitan cities and provinces, Seoul had 1,085 cases, Gyeonggi 550, Chungnam 257, Incheon 186, Gyeongnam 81, Daegu 79, Gyeongbuk 64, Gangwon 45, Gwangju 39, Chungbuk and Jeonnam each 32, Daejeon 23, Jeju 22, Jeonbuk 15, Ulsan 6, and Sejong 2. Confirmed cases were reported in all 16 metropolitan cities and provinces.

Seoul recorded 1,085 confirmed cases by 6 p.m., marking the highest number ever based on the interim tally.

In non-metropolitan areas, the increase in confirmed cases in Chungnam was notable. Since the first confirmed case in a village in Cheonan, Chungnam on the 21st, a total of 232 people have tested positive so far. The quarantine authorities have identified that the confirmed cases were living in a cluster village centered around a church.

Since there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of 0 a.m. on the 24th is expected to increase further. The fourth domestic wave, which began in early July, has continued for over four months.

From the 17th to that day, the number of new confirmed cases reported daily over the past week was 3,187 → 3,292 → 3,034 → 3,206 → 3,120 → 2,827 → 2,699, averaging about 3,052 cases per day. Excluding imported cases, the average number of locally transmitted confirmed cases is about 3,032 per day.