31,464 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide by 9 PM... About 8,000 Fewer Than Yesterday

Lowest in 11 Weeks at the Same Time on Wednesday

On the 28th, as the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases continues to rise, citizens are seen walking without masks in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the decline in the resurgence of COVID-19 continues, the number of new confirmed cases nationwide reached the 30,000 range by 9 p.m. on the 21st.

According to Seoul and other local governments, from midnight to 9 p.m. on this day, 31,464 people across 17 cities and provinces nationwide were confirmed positive for COVID-19. This is the lowest figure in 11 weeks for a Wednesday mid-day tally since July 6 (17,507 cases). It is 8,308 fewer than the same time the previous day (39,772 cases), and less than half the number recorded on the same weekday one and two weeks ago. Compared to one week ago on the 14th (69,515 cases), it is 38,051 fewer, and compared to two weeks ago on the 7th (69,992 cases), it is 38,528 fewer. Since there is still time until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced on the 22nd will increase from this, but it is expected to remain in the 30,000 range.

New confirmed cases were 17,134 (54.5%) in the Seoul metropolitan area and 14,330 (45.5%) in non-metropolitan areas. By region, the numbers are: Gyeonggi 8,927, Seoul 6,154, Incheon 2,053, Gyeongnam 1,983, Gyeongbuk 1,747, Daegu 1,597, Chungnam 10,251, Chungbuk 1,156, Jeonbuk 1,083, Gangwon 1,017, Daejeon 954, Gwangju 890, Jeonnam 816, Busan 799, Ulsan 535, Jeju 251, and Sejong 251.

From the 15th to this day, the daily new confirmed cases for one week were 71,451 → 51,862 → 43,445 → 34,750 → 19,399 → 47,917 → 41,286, averaging 44,301 cases per day. As the number of new confirmed cases continues to decline, health authorities are exploring additional easing measures such as relaxing indoor and outdoor mask regulations. The National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, which officially advises on infectious disease-related policies, began discussions on easing the mask-wearing mandate at its plenary meeting on this day.