'New Cases 2,008' with 77.6% in the Capital Area... First Dose Vaccination Expected to Surpass 70% Today (Update)

Local Cases 1,973, Imported Cases 35

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] On the 17th, the number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea once again exceeded 2,000.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on that day, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases increased by 2,008 from the previous day, reaching a total of 281,938. In terms of infection routes, 1,973 cases were locally transmitted, and 35 were imported from overseas.

In the metropolitan area, local cases were recorded as 738 in Seoul, 655 in Gyeonggi, and 139 in Incheon, totaling over 1,500. The metropolitan area accounted for 77.6% of the total confirmed cases. Among non-metropolitan regions, Chungnam reported the highest number of new cases with 55, followed by Busan with 51, Daejeon with 43, Gangwon with 39, Daegu with 38, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk each with 36, Gyeongnam with 35, Gwangju with 21, Ulsan with 17, Jeonnam with 13, Sejong with 12, and Jeju with 9.

The total number of tests conducted in one day exceeded 140,000. At temporary screening clinics set up in the metropolitan area, 85,742 tests were conducted, confirming 445 positive cases, while 10,036 tests were conducted at temporary screening clinics outside the metropolitan area, confirming 22 positive cases.

The number of critically ill patients decreased by 16 from the previous day to 332. The cumulative death toll increased by 3 to 2,389.

Meanwhile, according to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 428,223 people newly received their first vaccine dose the previous day. The cumulative number of first-dose recipients reached 35,414,516. The first-dose vaccination rate reached 69%. It is expected that the cumulative first-dose vaccination rate will surpass 70% within the day. Additionally, 312,896 people newly completed their vaccination, bringing the total vaccination completion rate relative to the population to 41.8%.

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