Over 30,000 New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed as of 9 PM on the 7th

On the 7th, when 35,286 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul City Hall Plaza were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As of 9 PM on the 7th, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases exceeded 30,000. This is more than 4,000 cases higher than the count at the same time the previous day.

Yonhap News reported that the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases, compiled through local governments and quarantine authorities on the day, was 31,777. This is more than 4,067 cases higher than the previous highest count at the same time, 27,710 cases recorded the day before. This is the first time the count has surpassed 30,000 as of 9 PM.

Earlier, as of 6 PM on the same day, the number was about 300 cases lower than the previous day, but new confirmed cases surged afterward. Typically, diagnostic testing decreases over the weekend, resulting in fewer new cases at the beginning of the week, but due to the strong transmissibility of the Omicron variant, new confirmed cases appear to be rapidly increasing.

Since there is still time until midnight when the count closes, the new confirmed cases to be reported on the 8th are expected to approach 40,000. The new confirmed cases announced in the morning of the day were 35,286. Quarantine authorities anticipate that new confirmed cases will increase during this week due to increased movement during the Lunar New Year holiday period.