COVID-19 New Cases 26,344... Cumulative Total Nears 18 Million (Update)

232 Critically Ill Hospitalized Patients... 19 Deaths

On the 23rd, as the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases continued to decline, the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station was quiet. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea is expected to soon surpass 18 million.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 24th at midnight that 26,344 new COVID-19 cases were added, bringing the total cumulative cases to 17,993,985.

The daily new cases more than doubled compared to the previous day, the 23rd, when the number fell below 10,000, but decreased by 8,760 compared to a week ago on the 17th (35,104 cases).

The cumulative COVID-19 cases are expected to exceed 18 million on the 25th. It has been 29 days since the total surpassed 17 million on the 26th of last month. Compared to the rapid surge during the Omicron wave in March, when the cumulative cases increased by 1 million every 2 to 3 days, the increase has clearly slowed down. The milestones were reached on March 23 (10 million), March 25 (11 million), March 28 (12 million), and March 31 (13 million).

The number of critically ill patients currently hospitalized is 232, an increase of 7 from the previous day (225). The nationwide critical care bed occupancy rate is 17.3%, with 14.7% in the metropolitan area and 24.4% in non-metropolitan areas.

As of midnight on the same day, there were 19 new deaths, a decrease of 3 from the previous day (22). The cumulative death toll stands at 24,006, with a fatality rate of 0.13%.

The number of new home treatment cases increased by 22,392 on the previous day, bringing the total number of home treatment patients to 142,986 as of the 24th. Among them, the intensive care group receiving health management from medical institutions fell below 10,000, totaling 9,524.

On the 23rd, 34,959 elderly people aged 60 and over received the fourth dose of the vaccine, with the fourth dose vaccination rate for this age group recorded at 27.1%.