58 COVID-19 Critical Patients... 82 Severe or Higher Cases (Update)

On the 18th, district officials are conducting disinfection at a nursing hospital in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Among the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea, 58 patients are currently in critical condition as of the 18th.

Gwak Jin, head of the Patient Management Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a briefing on the same day, "There are 58 patients in critical condition and 24 in severe condition, totaling 82 patients in severe or higher stages."

The health authorities classify patients who are on mechanical ventilation or using an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) device as critical. Patients who can breathe on their own but have decreased oxygen saturation requiring oxygen therapy or have a fever of 38.5 degrees Celsius are considered severe. Since the condition of severe patients can worsen and potentially lead to death, medical institutions and health authorities remain vigilant.

The number of patients in severe or higher stages has steadily increased from 57 as of the 6th. The death toll stands at 84 as of midnight on the same day, with an additional 7 deaths not yet included in the health authorities' tally.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.