COVID-19 Cases Exceed 260,000, Consecutive Days Over 200,000 "Critical Cases 1,165 · Deaths 339"

On the 1st, when the government announced the adjustment plan for social distancing, office workers were moving for lunch in Myeongdong, Seoul. From the 4th, the limit on private gatherings will be expanded from 8 to 10 people for two weeks. Business hours restrictions will also be extended from 11 PM to midnight. The government plans to consider lifting all quarantine regulations except indoor mask-wearing if the COVID-19 outbreak clearly shifts to a decline and severe cases and the medical system are stably managed over the next two weeks. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Omicron COVID-19 variant continues a gradual decline in cases, with new infections remaining in the 200,000 range for the second consecutive day.

On the 2nd, the Central Disease Control Headquarters reported that as of midnight, 264,171 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 13,639,915.

The number of new cases decreased by 16,102 from the previous day, maintaining the mid-to-high 200,000 range for two consecutive days. Compared to one week ago, it decreased by 71,370, and compared to two weeks ago, it was 117,228 fewer.

The government assesses that the COVID-19 outbreak peaked two weeks ago and is now gradually declining. From the 4th to the 17th, the government has relaxed operating hours for multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes by one hour, extending from 11 PM to midnight. The limit on private gatherings has also been expanded from 8 to 10 people regardless of vaccination status.

Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol stated, "If the decline continues over the next two weeks and the number of severe cases and the healthcare system remain stable, we will fully adjust social distancing measures. Ultimately, except for indoor mask-wearing, all quarantine regulations including operating hours, private gatherings, and large-scale events will be lifted, moving towards a system closer to normal daily life."

However, the government analyzed that severe cases and deaths have not yet peaked, and the upward trend may continue until early to mid-April. It is also uncertain whether the decline will stabilize due to the dominance of the BA.2 (Stealth Omicron) variant.

The number of severe cases decreased by 134 from the previous day to 1,165, dropping to the 1,100 range for the first time in a week since the 26th (1,164). The number of COVID-19 deaths reported the previous day was 339, down by 21 from the day before (360).

Among the deaths reported the previous day, those aged 80 and above accounted for the largest share with 207 (61.06%). This was followed by 60 deaths in their 70s, 35 in their 60s, 19 in their 50s, 14 in their 40s, 2 in their 20s, and 2 in the 0?9 age group. The cumulative number of deaths under 10 years old is 13, which is more than three times the cumulative deaths of teenagers (4).

Regarding the infection routes of new cases, 264,103 were locally transmitted, and 68 were imported. Including imported cases, the number of confirmed cases by region is as follows: Gyeonggi 71,525, Seoul 48,673, Gyeongnam 15,942, Incheon 14,284, Gyeongbuk 10,370, Chungnam 11,904, Daegu 11,276, Jeonnam 11,160, Busan 10,691, Jeonbuk 9,462, Chungbuk 9,326, Gangwon 956, Gwangju 833, Daejeon 7,989, Ulsan 5,594, Jeju 3,771, Sejong 2,370.

The daily new cases over the past week from the 27th of last month were 310,872 → 187,182 → 347,490 → 424,597 → 320,718 → 280,273 → 264,171, averaging about 300,672 per day.

On the previous day, a total of 269,572 diagnostic tests were conducted at screening clinics. The vaccination completion rate (percentage of those who completed the basic vaccination) as of midnight was 86.7% (a cumulative 44,496,113 people), and 63.9% of the total population (a cumulative 32,786,251 people) have completed the third dose.

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