COVID-19 New Cases in the 80,000s... Deaths Back to 200s (Update)

Under 100,000 for Two Consecutive Days... Severe Cases Remain in the 800s for Six Days

On the first day of the complete lifting of COVID-19 social distancing measures on the 18th, Nogari Alley in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, was bustling with citizens. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the government plans to further ease quarantine measures from the 25th, allowing eating and drinking in movie theaters and on trains, the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday reached the 80,000 range.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on that day, 81,058 new cases were reported, bringing the total to 16,755,055.

The number of new cases decreased by about 9,800 from the previous day (90,867), marking two consecutive days below 100,000. This is the first time in 10 weeks since February 11 (53,916) that new cases reported on a Friday have been below 100,000.

New cases are 44,769 fewer than a week ago on the 15th (125,827) and 124,254 fewer than two weeks ago on the 8th (205,312), showing a clear downward trend.

The number of critically ill patients was 833, down by 13 from the previous day (846), maintaining the 800 range for six consecutive days since the 17th (893).

The nationwide severe bed occupancy rate was 38.1% as of midnight (1,065 out of 2,793 beds in use), down 2.6 percentage points from the previous day (40.7%), dropping to the high 30% range. The occupancy rate for semi-severe beds, which treat patients whose condition is improving from severe or who are at high risk of worsening, was 41.8%.

The number of home treatment patients staying at home without hospitalization was 550,814, down 23,269 from the previous day (574,083). Among them, 47,310 are in the intensive management group receiving health monitoring from medical institutions.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths was 206, an increase of 59 from the previous day (147). By age group, those aged 80 and above accounted for the largest number with 123 deaths (59.7%), followed by 49 in their 70s, 17 in their 60s, 13 in their 50s, and 2 in their 40s. There was also one death each in the 10s and 0-9 age groups.

The total cumulative deaths stand at 21,873, with a cumulative fatality rate of 0.13%.

Meanwhile, the government is expanding the scope of daily life recovery as the COVID-19 outbreak declines. With social distancing fully lifted from this week, from the 25th, eating and drinking will be allowed not only in movie theaters and indoor sports venues but also on public transportation.

Additionally, from the 30th until the 22nd of next month, contact visits at nursing hospitals and facilities will be temporarily permitted.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that morning, "The government intends to boldly expand the scope of daily life recovery."

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