New COVID-19 Cases Approaching 220,000

Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom "Discussing Social Distancing Measures"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The number of new COVID-19 cases surged by about 80,000 in one day, approaching 220,000.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the 2nd, there were 219,241 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 3,492,686. This is an increase of 80,248 cases in one day, marking the highest number ever recorded. The number of new confirmed cases exceeded 200,000 for the first time 772 days after the first COVID-19 patient was reported in the country. The health authorities had predicted that new cases would exceed 230,000 on the presidential election day, the 9th, but the number has already approached that figure. Additionally, concerns are rising that the number of confirmed cases will increase further due to the suspension of the vaccine pass and the easing of quarantine rules, as well as the resumption of in-person classes in elementary, middle, and high schools.

The number of critically ill patients and deaths is also on the rise. The number of critically ill patients increased by 35 to 762 compared to the previous day. The number of deaths was 96, maintaining a level around 100 for the third consecutive day. The cumulative death toll reached 8,266, with a cumulative fatality rate of 0.24%. Hospital bed occupancy rates are 50.1% for critical care beds, 65.4% for semi-critical and moderate care beds, and 49.8% for mild to moderate care beds.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the same day, "The government's temporary suspension of the vaccine pass was a conclusion reached after carefully weighing the pros and cons in response to Omicron," and added, "We will continue discussions on the need to adjust social distancing measures by closely analyzing the current quarantine situation from the perspective of responding to Omicron."

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