First Day of Returning to Normal Life... Confirmed Cases Drop to 40,000s

Lowest Level in 10 Weeks as of Monday

As social distancing measures such as private gathering limits and business hour restrictions were fully lifted, citizens hurried on their way to work at Gwanghwamun Station in the Seoul subway on the 18th, returning to pre-COVID-19 daily life. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The daily number of new COVID-19 cases has fallen below 50,000. This is the lowest figure in 10 weeks since February 7, based on Monday's announcement.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 18th, as of midnight, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 47,734 from the previous day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 16,353,495. Reflecting the weekend effect of fewer tests conducted, the number of confirmed cases sharply dropped to about half from 93,001 the day before.

It has been 68 days since the daily new cases fell below 50,000 due to the spread of the Omicron variant, last recorded on February 9 (49,546 cases). Based on Monday announcements, the number had increased from 35,281 on February 7, exceeded 300,000 on the 14th of last month, and has been steadily decreasing since.

The number of critically ill patients fell below 1,000 on the 14th of this month, recording 893 on the 17th and 850 on this day. This is the lowest figure since the 4th of last month (797). Deaths due to COVID-19 also numbered 132 on this day, the lowest since the 3rd of last month (128).

From this day forward, all social distancing measures have been lifted, removing restrictions on private gatherings that were limited to 10 people and the operating hours of multi-use facilities that were restricted until midnight. However, the indoor and outdoor mask-wearing mandate will remain in place for the time being. Pre-booking for the 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose for those aged 60 and over has also begun. Those aged 60 and above who have passed four months since their 3rd dose are eligible for the 4th dose.

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