SEOUL — South Korea’s disease control agency reported a significant increase in the concentration of COVID-19 virus in the nation’s wastewater, indicating a surge in infections as the summer vacation season progresses.
According to Yonhap News Agency, operated by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the average viral load in wastewater samples reached 47,640 copies per milliliter during the second week of August. This figure represents nearly double the concentration measured the previous week at 24,602 copies per milliliter. The data collected from 84 wastewater treatment facilities across the country is used by the KDCA to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in communities.
The sharp rise in wastewater virus levels correlates with an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, with the number of newly hospitalized patients rising to 1,359 during the same period, up from 878 the week before. This trend underscores the ongoing challenge posed by COVID-19 as public health officials continue to monitor and respond to the pandemic’s dynamic nature.