Domestic COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 378...Increase of 1 (Update)

On the 18th, health authorities urged people to refrain from visiting their hometowns, fearing that moving from the metropolitan area to the provinces could lead to infections among vulnerable elderly individuals.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in South Korea increased by one, bringing the total to 378.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 18th, an man in his 80s who was confirmed positive on the 31st of last month died yesterday while receiving inpatient treatment at Ulsan University Hospital.

Earlier, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that the number of COVID-19 deaths in the country was 377 as of midnight on the 18th, but with the addition of one death from the previous day, the total number of deaths rose to 378.

Since the beginning of this month, 54 people have died from COVID-19. In just this week (14th to 18th), 20 people have died. Most of the deceased were aged 60 or older.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country as of midnight on this day is 22,783.

The number of new confirmed cases exceeded 400 on the 27th of last month, stayed in the 300s for two days, then dropped to the 200s on the 30th. The 200s, which had continued for four consecutive days, fell to the 100s on the 3rd and have been maintained for 16 consecutive days. In particular, confirmed cases were concentrated in the metropolitan areas including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon.

With the Chuseok holiday approaching, the spread is continuing mainly in the metropolitan area, causing health authorities to remain vigilant. Authorities have urged people to refrain from visiting their hometowns, fearing that infections will spread to vulnerable elderly people as people move from the metropolitan area to other regions.