4352 New Cases Even on Holiday... 12 Additional Omicron Infections (Update)

On the 6th, as the government announced its stance to focus quarantine capabilities on responding to Omicron until the end of the year and requested cooperation regarding the quarantine pass, office workers wearing masks are using the train at Sindorim Station in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The number of new domestic COVID-19 cases continued to exceed 4,000 even on the holiday, maintaining the spread. The number of infections with the Omicron variant, a COVID-19 variant virus, increased by 12, bringing the total to 24.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 6th at midnight that the cumulative number of domestic COVID-19 cases increased by 4,325 from the previous day to 477,358. There were 4,296 domestic cases and 29 imported cases.

By region, Seoul reported 1,401 cases, Gyeonggi 1,308, and Incheon 301, totaling 3,010 cases (70.1%), indicating that the spread remains centered in the metropolitan area.

Non-metropolitan areas reported a total of 1,286 cases (29.9%), including Busan 192, Gyeongbuk 180, Chungnam 155, Daegu 145, Gyeongnam 120, Gangwon 112, Daejeon 106, Jeonbuk 72, Chungbuk 59, Gwangju 43, Jeju 39, Jeonnam 37, and Ulsan and Sejong with 13 each.

Among the 29 imported cases, 6 were detected during quarantine, and 23 were confirmed in the local community.

The number of severe cases currently hospitalized remained in the 700s at 727.

The death toll increased by 41 from the previous day, bringing the total cumulative deaths to 3,893. The fatality rate stands at 0.82%.

The number of Omicron variant infections also increased by 12. Two were imported cases, and 10 were local infections, bringing the total confirmed infections to 24.

On the 3rd, when 4,944 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens are waiting to get tested at the entrance of the drive-thru screening center set up at Simsang Memorial Culture Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 1,690 people received their first dose the previous day, bringing the total number of first-dose recipients to 42,678,737. The vaccination rate for the first dose relative to the population is 83.1%. Among those aged 18 and over, 93.7% have completed the first dose.

The number of people who completed the second dose the previous day was 1,963, bringing the total to 41,341,888. The vaccination rate for the second dose relative to the population is 80.5%, and 91.7% among those aged 18 and over.

The number of people who received the third dose (booster shot) the previous day was 3,650, bringing the total to 3,956,401.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at Seoul City Hall that "the threat of Omicron is gradually becoming visible," and "the government intends to concentrate all quarantine capabilities on responding to Omicron until the end of the year."

Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "Although the exact nature has not yet been fully identified, it is clear that the transmissibility is noticeably high," and added, "We must absolutely prevent further spread within the community." He continued, "The quarantine authorities should work closely with local governments to thoroughly quarantine incoming travelers and devote all efforts to the rapid tracing and blocking of close contacts."

To control the COVID-19 outbreak, the government will implement special quarantine measures starting today to suspend the recovery of daily life. Accordingly, for the next four weeks, private gatherings will be limited to six people in the metropolitan area and eight people in non-metropolitan areas. The vaccine pass will also be applied to indoor multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, and academies starting today. However, to minimize confusion on-site, a one-week grace period will be provided, and penalties such as fines will be imposed starting from the 13th.