COVID-19 Cases Remain in the 50,000s for Five Days... 'Severe Cases' Back to 300s (Comprehensive)

1.5 Times Increase in One Week and Over 3 Times Compared to Two Weeks Ago Amid Omicron Surge
Fourth Dose Vaccination for Immunocompromised and Facility Residents to Begin at the End of This Month

On the 13th, when 56,431 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking the fourth consecutive day with over 50,000 cases, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul, are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the COVID-19 Omicron variant pandemic continues with daily new cases exceeding 50,000 for five consecutive days, the fourth vaccine dose will begin at the end of this month, focusing on high-risk groups.

Highest Number of Cases on a Sunday

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 14th, as of midnight, the number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 54,619 from the previous day, bringing the total to 1,405,246. Although the increase in new cases was 1,812 fewer than the day before, the number of new cases remained above 50,000 for the fifth consecutive day. This is the highest number of cases ever recorded on a Sunday.

The number of new cases on this day was 1.55 times that of a week ago on the 7th (35,281 cases) and 3.2 times that of two weeks ago on the 31st of last month (17,077 cases).

As the scale of the outbreak grows, the number of critically ill patients, which had remained stable for some time, is gradually increasing. As of midnight, the number of critically ill patients was 306, up 18 from the previous day (288), rising to the 300 range for the first time in 17 days. Accordingly, the nationwide COVID-19 severe bed occupancy rate rose by 3.5 percentage points from 22.2% the previous day to 25.7% (662 out of 2,573 beds in use).

With the surge in cases, asymptomatic and mild patients are also increasing rapidly. The number of patients receiving home treatment exceeded 200,000 (214,869) for the first time the previous day and increased again by 17,217 on this day, totaling 232,086.

By region, Gyeonggi had 64,725 cases, Seoul 49,491, and Incheon 11,923, with more than half of all home treatment patients, 126,139 (54.4%), concentrated in the metropolitan area.

The number of deaths was 21, down 15 from the previous day (36). The cumulative death toll stands at 7,102, with a cumulative fatality rate of 0.51%.

On the 8th, when the additional COVID-19 vaccination (booster shot) began for Janssen vaccine recipients and inpatients, residents, and workers of nursing hospitals and nursing facilities, a Janssen vaccine recipient is receiving a booster shot at Yonsei With ENT Clinic in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Critically Ill Patients Reach 300 Range for the First Time in 17 Days

As daily new cases exceed 50,000, health authorities expect the number of critically ill patients and deaths to increase starting this week.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said at a media briefing, "As the total number of confirmed cases grows, the absolute number of elderly confirmed cases is also increasing," adding, "Considering the tendency for critically ill patients to increase with a 2-3 week lag, we expect an increase starting this week."

The number of critically ill patients, which had been maintained in the 200 range since the 29th of last month, was recorded at 306 on this day. It is the first time in 17 days that the number has risen to the 300 range. However, health authorities maintain that there is still sufficient medical response capacity.

Son said, "We have the capacity to manage up to 1,500 critically ill patients, so the current number of critically ill patients in the high 200s to low 300s is stable relative to our management capacity." He added, "Currently, about 75% of intensive care unit beds are available," and explained, "The most important goal is to manage critically ill patients and deaths stably within our capacity if they increase in the future."

The government plans to start the fourth vaccination dose at the end of this month for immunocompromised individuals and residents of nursing hospitals and facilities, anticipating that the number of critically ill patients could increase to a level that burdens the medical system if the pandemic continues.

At the same time, the government will continue to review the easing of social distancing measures comprehensively, considering the number of critically ill patients and deaths, as well as medical system capacity. As of midnight on this day, the COVID-19 vaccination completion rate (basic vaccination) was 86.2% (44,220,327 people cumulatively), and the third dose was completed by 57.3% of the total population (29,429,772 people cumulatively).

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