COVID-19 New Cases 4,116... Severe and Critical Patients Near 600

First 4,000-Level COVID-19 Cases Since Outbreak
586 Critically Ill Patients

National ICU Bed Occupancy Exceeds 70%
Seoul Metropolitan Area Continues Rising at 83.7%

On the morning of the 23rd, citizens visiting the COVID-19 screening clinic at Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall are waiting for their turn to be tested. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] On the 24th, the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 4,000 for the first time ever, reaching 4,116.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on that day, the total cumulative number of domestic COVID-19 cases increased by 4,116 from the previous day to 425,065. Of these, 4,088 were domestic cases and 28 were imported cases, marking the highest numbers ever recorded. The weekly average of new locally transmitted cases also reached a record high of 3,163.7.

By region, the Seoul metropolitan area accounted for 3,125 cases, or 76.4%, with Seoul reporting 1,730 cases, Incheon 219, and Gyeonggi 1,176.

The number of cases outside the metropolitan area totaled 963, distributed as follows: ▲Busan 118 ▲Daegu 78 ▲Gwangju 45 ▲Daejeon 51 ▲Ulsan 11 ▲Sejong 7 ▲Gangwon 62 ▲Chungbuk 40 ▲Chungnam 291 ▲Jeonbuk 34 ▲Jeonnam 52 ▲Gyeongbuk 65 ▲Gyeongnam 87 ▲Jeju 22. In Chungnam, a cluster infection rapidly increased the number of confirmed cases after 223 cases were linked to a village where communal living is based on a religious facility in Cheonan City.

Among the 28 imported cases, 7 were detected during quarantine, and 21 were confirmed in the local community.

The number of critically ill patients hospitalized also reached a record high of 586, an increase of 37 from the previous day. The intensive care unit (ICU) bed occupancy rate nationwide exceeded 70%, maintaining a dangerous level. As of 5 p.m. the previous day, 806 out of 1,135 ICU beds nationwide (71.0%) were in use. In particular, the metropolitan area showed occupancy rates of 86.4% in Seoul, 81.0% in Incheon, and 81.2% in Gyeonggi, with 582 out of 795 beds (83.7%) occupied. Considering the preparation work required for beds during patient admission and discharge, this is effectively regarded as a 'depletion' state.

The number of patients waiting for hospital beds without being admitted was 778, a slight decrease from 836 the previous day. However, the shortage of beds continues, with 136 patients waiting more than four days without admission.

The death toll increased by 35 the previous day, bringing the total cumulative deaths to 3,363. The fatality rate remains at approximately 0.79%.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 28,236 people received their first dose the previous day, bringing the total number of first-dose recipients to 42,324,422. The vaccination rate for the first dose relative to the population is 82.4%. Among those aged 18 and older, 93.3% have completed the first dose. The number of people who completed vaccination the previous day was 43,631, bringing the total to 40,631,958. The vaccination completion rate relative to the population is 79.1%, and 91.1% for those aged 18 and older.

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