COVID-19 New Cases 2,176... Over 2,000 for Three Consecutive Days (Update)

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is delivering opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] The number of new domestic COVID-19 cases in South Korea continued to spread in the high 2,100s on the 8th.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on the 8th, there were 2,176 new domestic COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 327,976. Of these, 2,145 were domestic transmissions and 31 were imported cases.

By region, Seoul reported 773 cases, Gyeonggi 753, and Incheon 125, with the metropolitan area totaling 1,651 cases (77.0%).

Non-metropolitan areas reported a total of 494 cases (23.0%), including Gyeongbuk 77, Chungbuk 64, Chungnam 59, Gyeongnam 54, Daegu 45, Busan 34, Gangwon 32, Daejeon 30, Gwangju 25, Jeonbuk 22, Jeonnam 17, Ulsan 16, Sejong 10, and Jeju 9.

Among the 31 imported cases, 14 were identified during quarantine, and the remaining 17 were confirmed in the local community. Six were Korean nationals and 25 were foreigners. Twenty-two cases were confirmed from Asian countries excluding China.

The death toll increased by 10 the previous day, bringing the total to 2,554, with a fatality rate of 0.78%. The number of critically ill patients is 377.

The number of newly released from isolation increased by 3,269, totaling 292,091.

The number of suspected cases tested was 48,225. At temporary screening clinics set up in the metropolitan area, 91,061 tests were conducted, confirming 608 cases. In non-metropolitan temporary screening clinics, 12,052 tests were conducted, identifying 46 cases. The total number of tests conducted was 151,338.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 36,187 people received their first dose the previous day, bringing the total number of first-dose recipients to 39,862,414. The first-dose vaccination rate relative to the population is 77.6%. Among those aged 18 and over, 90.3% have completed their first dose.

The number of people who completed vaccination the previous day was 710,173, bringing the total to 29,221,870. The vaccination completion rate relative to the population is 56.9%.

The government is expanding home treatment in preparation for phased daily recovery.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, "We plan to expand home treatment in advance in preparation for phased daily recovery," adding, "We considered the changed quarantine conditions such as the decrease in severe cases and fatality rates as vaccination rates increase."

Prime Minister Kim also urged, regarding the Hangul Day holiday, "Considering that the fourth wave is still ongoing, please follow personal quarantine rules anytime and anywhere."

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