COVID-19 New Cases 3,187... Critically Ill Patients 522, Highest Ever (Update)

On the 17th, when 3,187 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens continued to visit the screening clinic in front of Seoul City Hall to get tested. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Since the implementation of 'gradual daily recovery,' the number of new COVID-19 cases has surged, reaching the 3,000 range.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 17th at midnight that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country increased by 3,187 from the previous day to 402,775. Of these, 3,163 were domestic cases and 24 were imported.

The 3,187 new cases represent the second-largest daily increase since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. This is the second time in 53 days that the number of new cases has reached the 3,000 range, following the first occurrence on September 25 (3,270 cases).

By region, Seoul reported 1,432 cases, Gyeonggi 956, and Incheon 157, with the metropolitan area accounting for 2,545 cases (79.9%), continuing the spread centered around the capital region. Seoul recorded the highest number of cases ever.

Non-metropolitan areas reported Busan 103, Gyeongnam 66, Daegu 54, Gangwon 53, Jeonbuk 50, Daejeon 46, Jeonnam 36, Gwangju 33, Chungbuk 28, Gyeongbuk 26, Jeju 23, Sejong 16, and Ulsan 14, accounting for 20.1% of the total.

Among the 24 imported cases, 5 were detected during quarantine, and 19 were confirmed in the local community.

The number of critically ill patients reached 522, marking an 'all-time high.' The number of critically ill patients, which had been steadily rising in the 400s, increased by 27 in one day, surpassing 500.

The death toll increased by 21 the previous day, bringing the total cumulative deaths to 3,158. The fatality rate stands at 0.78%.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 33,249 people received their first dose the previous day, bringing the total number of first-dose recipients to 42,062,748. The vaccination rate for the first dose relative to the population is 81.9%. Among those aged 18 and over, 93% have completed their first dose. The number of people who completed vaccination the previous day was 46,728, bringing the total to 40,243,219. The vaccination completion rate relative to the population is 78.4%, and 90.6% among those aged 18 and over.

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