COVID-19 New Cases 6,769... Countdown to Transition to Omicron Response System

On the 21st, citizens waiting to get tested at the temporary screening clinic near Sogang University Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Due to the spread of the Omicron variant domestically, the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded in the 6,000 range for two consecutive days.

On the 21st, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 6,769 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed. This is an increase of 167 cases from the previous day’s 6,602, 2,231 more than a week ago’s 4,538, and 3,056 more than two weeks ago’s 3,713.

The number of new cases is expected to exceed 7,000 per day starting this weekend. The government has stated that if the weekly average number of cases exceeds 7,000, it plans to shift the quarantine system to respond to Omicron.

However, the number of critically ill patients was 431, down 57 from the previous day’s 488, marking two consecutive days in the 400s. The health authorities expect the number of critically ill patients to increase with a delay of about two weeks due to the surge in confirmed cases. As of 5 p.m. the previous day, the nationwide COVID-19 severe bed occupancy rate was 21.9%, maintaining the 20% range for four consecutive days. The death toll increased by 21, bringing the total to 6,501 (cumulative fatality rate 0.90%).

Regarding the infection routes of new confirmed cases, 6,482 were locally transmitted. In the metropolitan area, there were 2,349 in Gyeonggi, 1,485 in Seoul, and 438 in Incheon, totaling 4,272 cases (65.9%). In non-metropolitan areas, there were 386 in Daegu, 237 in Gwangju, 225 in Gyeongbuk, 207 in Busan, 198 in Jeonnam, 183 in Chungnam, 178 in Gyeongnam, 159 in Jeonbuk, 136 in Gangwon, 111 in Daejeon, 85 in Chungbuk, 78 in Ulsan, 17 in Sejong, and 10 in Jeju, totaling 2,210 cases (34.1%). There were 287 imported cases.

The domestic COVID-19 vaccination completion rate as of midnight was 85.2% (a cumulative total of 43,722,568 people). The third dose vaccination rate reached 47.7% of the total population (a cumulative total of 24,501,260 people).