COVID-19 Severe Cases and Deaths 'Record High' ... 362,338 New Confirmed Cases (Update)

Cumulative Confirmed Cases Exceed 7 Million
Severe Bed Occupancy Rate at 65.1%
Home Treatment Patients at 1,613,186

On the 13th, when 351,90 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza, where daily cases have been in the 300,000 range, are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the Omicron variant spreads, the daily new COVID-19 cases reached 360,000, the second highest ever recorded. The cumulative number of confirmed cases has surpassed 7 million. The number of critically ill patients and deaths was also the highest in more than two years since the domestic COVID-19 outbreak.

On the 15th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, the number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 362,338, bringing the total confirmed cases to 7,228,550. Compared to the previous day's 309,784 new cases, the increase in one day expanded by more than 52,000.

The number of critically ill patients hospitalized was 1,196, and deaths were 293, both recording the highest numbers ever. The critically ill patients increased by 38 from the previous day, setting a new daily record.

The nationwide COVID-19 critical care bed occupancy rate was 65.1%. Among them, the metropolitan area critical care bed occupancy rate was 62.0%, and the non-metropolitan area occupancy rate was 72.4%, both slightly lower than the previous day (nationwide 66.8%, metropolitan area 63.6%, non-metropolitan area 74.5%).

As of midnight, the number of patients under home treatment was 1,613,186, an increase of 2,012 from the previous day (1,611,174). Among them, 246,326 are in the intensive management group, including those aged 60 and over receiving health monitoring from home treatment management medical institutions, while the rest are in the general management group managing their health independently at home.

Among the new confirmed cases, 362,338 were infected locally, and 55 were imported cases.

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