COVID-19 New Cases 10,463... Exceed 10,000 After 20 Days, Increasing Trend (Update)

59 Critically Ill Hospitalized Patients... 7 Deaths

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The number of new COVID-19 cases has surpassed 10,000 for the first time in 20 days, indicating a renewed upward trend in the outbreak.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 29th, as of midnight, 10,463 new cases were added, bringing the total cumulative cases to 18,349,756. Among these, 205 cases were imported from overseas, exceeding 200 for the first time since February 1.

The daily new cases had remained below 10,000 since recording 12,155 on the 9th. However, on this day, the number exceeded 10,000 again after 20 days. The number of cases also increased compared to a week ago on the 24th, 26th, and the previous day. Compared to 8,979 cases on the 22nd, the number of cases as of midnight increased by 1,484.

Lee Ki-il, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters meeting, "The infection reproduction number dropped to 0.7 at the end of April but has been continuously rising, reaching 1.0 yesterday (28th). The fact that the reproduction number has exceeded 1 means that the COVID-19 outbreak has shifted from a declining phase to an increasing phase."

The number of new COVID-19 deaths was recorded at 7. Among them, 5 were aged 80 or older, 1 in their 60s, and 1 under 10 years old. The total cumulative deaths stand at 24,537, with a fatality rate of 0.13%.

The number of critically ill patients hospitalized decreased by 3 from the previous day to 59. The nationwide critical care bed occupancy rate is 5.7%, with 5.2% in the metropolitan area and 7.3% in non-metropolitan areas.

With 10,291 new patients added to home treatment the previous day, the total number of patients currently under home treatment is 41,360. Among them, 1,860 are in the intensive management group receiving health care from medical institutions.