New Confirmed Cases 103,961... Severe Cases Decrease, Deaths Increase (Update)

569 Severe Cases Hospitalized... 75 Deaths

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] While the number of new COVID-19 cases has reached over 100,000, the number of critically ill patients has decreased for the second consecutive day, but deaths are increasing.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 31st at midnight, 103,961 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total cumulative number of confirmed cases to 23,246,398.

The number of new cases on this day was 11,677 fewer than the previous day and 35,346 fewer than a week ago on the 24th. According to the research team's forecast announced by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency the day before, the epidemic is expected to have passed its peak in the third week of August and will gradually decline for the time being.

The number of critically ill patients hospitalized was 569, decreasing for the second consecutive day since the 29th (597). The nationwide critical care bed occupancy rate dropped below 40% for the first time since the 11th, standing at 38.6%. The rate is 36.6% in the metropolitan area and 42.6% in non-metropolitan areas.

The number of new deaths was 75, an increase of 4 from the previous day. This marks the second consecutive day of increase following 49 deaths on the 29th and 71 on the 30th. By age group, 39 were aged 80 and above, 19 in their 70s, 10 in their 60s, 4 in their 50s, 1 in their 40s, and 2 in their 30s. The cumulative death toll stands at 26,764, with a fatality rate of 0.12%.

Im Sook-young, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters' situation management team, said at the regular briefing the day before, "Most experts believe that the peak period was passed in the third week of August," but added, "Severe cases and deaths, which appear with a time lag of about 2 to 3 weeks after infection, may remain steady or increase for the time being."

With 105,407 new patients added to home treatment the day before, the total number of confirmed cases currently under home treatment is 525,224.

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