[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] On the 23rd, the number of new COVID-19 cases is expected to record an all-time high. As of 9 PM, the number of new COVID-19 cases was counted in the mid-3000s. This figure has already surpassed the previous daily record of 3,292 cases set on the 18th.
According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from midnight to 9 PM on this day, a total of 3,573 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported nationwide. This total excludes Busan and includes the other 16 metropolitan cities and provinces.
Typically, at the beginning of the week, the number of tests decreases due to weekends and holidays, causing a drop in confirmed cases, but the cases tend to surge again from midweek.
Even considering this pattern, the scale of the outbreak has noticeably surged, with 1,229 more cases than the same time the previous day (2,344 cases) and 760 more than the same time a week ago on the 16th (2,813 cases).
Looking at the regions where cases were confirmed on this day, 2,756 cases were reported in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 817 cases in non-metropolitan areas.
By the 16 metropolitan cities and provinces, the numbers are as follows: Seoul 1,509, Gyeonggi 1,026, Chungnam 286, Incheon 221, Gyeongnam 81, Daegu 78, Gangwon 66, Gyeongbuk 65, Jeonnam 52, Gwangju 46, Daejeon 44, Chungbuk 32, Jeonbuk 28, Jeju 22, Ulsan 11, and Sejong 6. All 16 regions reported confirmed cases.
Seoul recorded 1,509 confirmed cases by 9 PM, marking the highest interim tally ever. Gyeonggi also reported its highest number at the same time, with 1,026 confirmed cases.
In non-metropolitan areas, the increase in 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 have been forming cluster villages centered around churches and living together.
Since there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced at 0:00 on the 24th is expected to increase further, reaching the high 3000s.
The fourth domestic wave, which began in early July, has been ongoing for over four months.
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