COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Reach 129,411... Highest Death Toll in 113 Days (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the domestic COVID-19 resurgence continues, nearly 130,000 new confirmed cases have been added. The number of deaths recorded 84, the highest in 113 days.

On the 20th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 129,411 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, bringing the cumulative total to 22,129,387. This is 9,401 fewer than the previous day, reflecting a trend of decreasing new cases toward the end of the week. However, compared to a week ago on the 13th (124,555 cases), it is 4,856 cases (3.9%) higher.

Although the increase continues, the rate of growth has slowed. Over the past week from the 14th to today, the daily new cases were 119,554 → 62,058 → 84,106 → 180,788 → 178,574 → 138,812 → 129,411, averaging 127,615 cases per day.

Among the new confirmed cases, 492 were imported cases, 27 more than the previous day (465). Excluding imported cases, domestic community infections numbered 128,919. By region (including imported cases), the confirmed cases were: Gyeonggi 31,339, Seoul 19,973, Gyeongnam 8,841, Busan 8,550, Gyeongbuk 7,243, Daegu 7,223, Incheon 6,254, Chungnam 5,768, Jeonnam 5,735, Jeonbuk 5,080, Gwangju 4,712, Chungbuk 4,441, Daejeon 4,368, Gangwon 3,670, Ulsan 3,150, Jeju 1,897, Sejong 1,110, and quarantine 57.

The number of critically ill patients increased by 19 from the previous day to 511. After recording over 500 on the 16th (563), the number stayed in the 400s for three days from the 17th to 19th, then rose back to the 500s today. Among critically ill patients, 86.7% (443) were aged 60 or older. The number of critically ill patients and deaths tends to reflect changes in new confirmed cases with a 1-2 week delay.

Notably, the number of deaths reported today was 84, marking the highest figure again during this summer wave, following 83 deaths the previous day. This is the highest number in 113 days since April 29 (136 deaths). Among the deceased, 47 (45.0%) were aged 80 or older, 23 (27.4%) were in their 70s, and 11 (13.1%) were in their 60s. Additionally, there was one death each in the 30s, 40s, and 50s age groups. To date, the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 25,980, with a cumulative fatality rate of 0.12%.

Regarding the increase in deaths, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said in a briefing yesterday, "As confirmed cases continue to rise, deaths will also continue to increase," and added, "We will continue to strengthen efforts to minimize the death toll by more thoroughly protecting high-risk groups."

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the nationwide severe bed occupancy rate was 44.7% (805 out of 1,801 beds in use), down 1 percentage point from the previous day. The semi-severe bed occupancy rate was 59.4%, down 0.8 percentage points, and the moderate bed occupancy rate was 43.9%, down 0.5 percentage points.

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