Over 5,000 Cases Even on Holiday... Omicron Infections Increase by 24 to Total 114 (Update)

On the 13th, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Plaza is crowded with citizens. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Domestic new COVID-19 cases have recorded over 5,000 even on holidays, intensifying the spread. The number of infections from the Omicron variant, a COVID-19 mutation, increased by 24, bringing the total to 114.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 13th at midnight that the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country rose by 5,817 from the previous day to 523,088. Of these, 5,783 were domestic cases and 34 were imported.

By region, Seoul reported 2,542 cases, Gyeonggi 1,361, and Incheon 389, totaling 4,292 cases (74.2%), indicating that the spread remains centered in the metropolitan area.

Non-metropolitan areas reported 1,491 cases (25.8%), including Busan 239, Gyeongnam 214, Chungnam 183, Gyeongbuk 162, Daegu 142, Gangwon 111, Jeonnam 83, Jeonbuk 81, Daejeon 78, Chungbuk 76, Ulsan 39, Gwangju 37, Jeju 36, and Sejong 10.

Among the 34 imported cases, 7 were detected during quarantine, and 27 were confirmed in the local community.

The number of critically ill patients hospitalized was 876, marking six consecutive days above 800.

The death toll increased by 40 from the previous day, reaching a total of 4,293. The fatality rate stands at 0.82%.

Additionally, 24 new Omicron variant infections were confirmed, with 3 imported and 21 locally transmitted, bringing the total confirmed infections to 114.

On the 13th, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Plaza is crowded with citizens. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 1,784 people received their first dose the previous day, bringing the total number of first-dose recipients to 42,958,480. The vaccination rate for the first dose is 83.7% of the population, with 94% of those aged 18 and over having completed the first dose.

The number of people who completed their second dose the previous day was 1,308, totaling 41,687,101. The second-dose completion rate is 81.2% of the population and 92.1% for those aged 18 and over.

The number of people who received the third dose (booster) the previous day was 7,772, with a total of 6,355,419 having received the third dose.

Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 13th, "If the current spread of infection continues, an emergency situation beyond the existing response capacity may occur."

Deputy Director Kwon emphasized, "To prevent a sharp increase in deaths or the worst-case scenario such as lockdowns, rapid testing, isolation, treatment, compliance with quarantine rules, vaccination, and the implementation of the vaccine pass must proceed without disruption."

He added, "If it is judged that reversing the crisis is difficult, we will have no choice but to strengthen quarantine measures to protect the lives of the people. Along with individual quarantine rules such as wearing masks, hand washing, and ventilation, we ask that group dinners and events be refrained from as much as possible during the year-end."

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