New Confirmed Cases 72,873, Highest in 69 Days... Severe Cases Over 400 for Four Consecutive Days (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Amid the ongoing resurgence of COVID-19 this winter, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen back to the 70,000 range within a week.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 22nd at midnight that 72,873 new COVID-19 cases were added, bringing the total cumulative confirmed cases to 26,654,729.

The number of new cases on this day is 3.16 times higher than the previous day (23,091 cases), when the weekend effect caused a significant drop, and is the highest since September 14 (93,949 cases), marking the largest figure in 69 days. Compared to a week ago on the 15th (72,866 cases), it increased by 7 cases, continuing a six-week upward trend in Tuesday case counts.

The number of critically ill patients stood at 461, remaining in the 400s for the fourth consecutive day. If the scale of COVID-19 cases does not decrease, the number of critically ill patients is likely to remain high for the time being, raising concerns about a potential hospital bed shortage. Currently, the intensive care unit bed occupancy rate is 33.5%. An additional 45 COVID-19 deaths were reported, bringing the cumulative death toll to 30,111.

The additional vaccination rate for the winter season is low, with 17.1% for those aged 60 and over and 17.4% for residents and workers in infection-vulnerable facilities. The health authorities have designated the next four weeks until the 18th of next month as the 'Winter Season Focused Vaccination Period' for updated vaccines. They plan to increase vaccination rates to 50% for high-risk groups and 60% for residents and workers in infection-vulnerable facilities by setting up proxy reservation desks at administrative welfare centers and allowing vaccinations without prior appointments.

At a regular briefing on the 21st, Jeong Gi-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee and Head of the COVID-19 Special Response Team, urged, "Since the superiority of the updated vaccines can be somewhat anticipated, I sincerely ask high-risk groups to make sure to get vaccinated."

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