New Confirmed Cases Over 230,000, Three Days Consecutive Above 200,000 "Severe Cases 1,128 · Deaths 306"

Citizens are lining up for testing at the screening clinic of Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The domestic Omicron COVID-19 variant outbreak continues a gradual decline, with new confirmed cases remaining in the 200,000 range for three consecutive days.

On the 3rd, the Central Disease Control Headquarters reported that as of midnight, 234,301 new confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 13,874,216. The number of new cases decreased by 29,870 from the previous day, maintaining the 200,000 range for three consecutive days. Compared to a week ago, it decreased by 83,771, and compared to two weeks ago, it is 100,332 fewer.

The government judges that the COVID-19 outbreak peaked two weeks ago and is now gradually declining. From the 4th, the government has eased operating hour restrictions for multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes by one hour, from 11 PM to midnight, for two weeks. The limit on private gatherings will also be expanded from 8 to 10 people regardless of vaccination status.

However, due to the dominance of the BA.2 (Stealth Omicron) variant, it is uncertain whether the decline will continue steadily, and severe cases and deaths have not yet peaked. The government analyzes that the upward trend may continue until early to mid-April.

The number of severe cases is 1,128, down by 37 from the previous day. The number of COVID-19 deaths reported the previous day was 306, a decrease of 33 from the day before (339).

By age group of the deceased the previous day, those aged 80 and above accounted for the largest number at 207 (67.7%). This was followed by 60 in their 70s, 25 in their 60s, 8 in their 50s, and 6 in their 40s.

Regarding the infection routes of new confirmed cases, 234,279 were locally transmitted and 22 were imported. Including imported cases, the number of confirmed cases by region is as follows: Gyeonggi 62,143, Seoul 42,109, Gyeongnam 15,122, Incheon 13,395, Gyeongbuk 11,752, Chungnam 11,168, Daegu 9,679, Jeonnam 10,438, Busan 9,118, Jeonbuk 8,514, Chungbuk 8,777, Gangwon 7,496, Gwangju 7,001, Daejeon 6,972, Ulsan 5,049, Jeju 3,581, Sejong 1,961.

From the 28th of last month for one week, the daily new confirmed cases were 187,182 → 347,490 → 424,597 → 320,718 → 280,273 → 264,171 → 234,301. The daily average is approximately 294,105.

On the previous day, a total of 172,144 diagnostic tests were conducted at screening clinics. The vaccination completion rate (percentage of those who completed the basic vaccination) as of midnight was 86.7% (a cumulative 44,498,619 people), and 63.9% of the total population (a cumulative 32,805,799 people) have completed the third dose.