○ As of 0:00, July 17 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 13,672 (including 2,005 imported cases), of which 12,460 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 21 new local cases, 39 new imported cases, and 2 new deaths.

 

 

○ Regional distribution of confirmed cases:

 

 

○ Case distribution by region:

 

 

○ DAILY NEW AND TOTAL CASES IN SEOUL/INCHEON/GYEONGGI REGIONS

 

 

○ DAILY NEW AND TOTAL CASES IN DAEJEON / GWANGJU / BORDER SCREENING

 

 

○ Distribution by gender and age group:

 

 

○ IMPORTED CONFIRMED CASES

 

 

○ Imported cases in Korea (as of 0:00, July 17, 2020)

 

 

□ KCDC shared recent real-life examples where proper mask wearing prevented further transmission and requested people to practice proper mask wearing in everyday life.

 

○ (Why do I need to wear a mask?) Mask wearing prevents my respiratory droplets (saliva droplets) from being spread to another person and protect me from exposure to other people's respiratory droplets. Mask wearing is the most effective COVID-19 prevention tool.

   * Not wearing a mask increases the likelihood of infection by 5 times or more compared to wearing a mask (THE LANCET, 2020)

   - In following examples, further transmission was minimized thanks to correct mask wearing despite risky situations such as riding in a small car together with a confirmed case for a long period of time, 7-day hospital stay, and a church service attended by a confirmed case.

 

 

○ (When should I wear a mask?) Masks must be worn indoors where it is difficult to keep a distance of 2 m or more from other people.

   - Especially when using indoor facilities where you come into contact with multiple people (e.g. medical institutions, public transportation, religious facilities, schools, offices, restaurants, etc.),

   - People who have jobs related to caring for high-risk individuals such as caregivers for the elderly should make proper mask wearing an everyday habit.

   - According to a survey (source: Hankook Research weekly report) on public perception on mask wearing, people of all age groups believe that mask wearing is necessary when in public places such as public transportation, grocery stores, and PC cafes.

   - However, there was low awareness of the need for mask wearing in places such as restaurants, cafes, and bars, which are environments with high COVID-19 transmission risk.

   - Restaurants, cafes, bars/pubs, and offices/workplaces often make it difficult to keep a distance of 2 m or more, so mask wearing is essential in such places.

   - In restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, masks should be worn while not eating, including when ordering and while waiting for food.

 

○ (When do I not need to wear a mask?) Masks wearing is not necessary when in outdoor space where it is possible to stay 2 m or more away from other people, such as when walking, running, biking, and climbing outdoors in the streets, parks, mountains, and seas, and it is possible to maintain a distance of 2 m or more from others.

  - Infants under 24 months of age, and those who have difficulty breathing with a mask on do not have to wear a mask.

 

○ (How should I wear a mask?) ？Cover your mouth and nose completely, ？The surface of the mask should not be touched as much as possible, and ？Wash your hands before and after wearing a mask.

  - When putting on a mask: Completely cover the mouth and nose, with a snug fit so that there is no gap between the face and the mask

  - After putting on a mask: In order to prevent contamination through hands, do not touch the mask surface as much as possible, and take off the mask by the strings only

  - Before and after wearing a mask: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds.

 

 

○ Daily new confirmed cases by chain of transmission

 

 

○ Age distribution of severe cases

 

 

○ New cases (for last 2 weeks) by chain of transmission

 

 

Source: Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention(KCDC)

https://www.cdc.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a30402000000&bid=0030