New COVID-19 Cases Reach 80,000 Range, 1.2 Times Higher Than a Week Ago... 'Doubling' Eases
Nearly 400 Imported Cases... BA.2.75 Infections Increase to 7
On the 27th, when the number of new COVID-19 cases surpassed 100,000 for the first time in 99 days, citizens waiting to get tested gathered at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the COVID-19 resurgence continues, the number of new confirmed cases remains in the 80,000 range per day, but the rate of increase has clearly slowed down. With overseas imported cases fluctuating between 300 and 400 per day, three additional patients infected with the BA.2.75 variant, known as the 'Centaurus variant,' were also reported.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 30th, as of midnight, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases increased by 82,002, bringing the total cumulative confirmed cases to 19,702,461.
The number of new confirmed cases decreased by 3,318 compared to the previous day (85,320), but it is 1.2 times higher than a week ago on the 23rd (68,537) and 1.99 times higher than two weeks ago on the 16th (41,302).
From the 24th to the 30th, the number of new confirmed cases over the past week was 65,374 → 35,864 → 99,261 → 100,287 → 88,384 → 85,320 → 82,002, averaging 79,495 cases per day. Until early this month, the number of new confirmed cases doubled within a week, a phenomenon called 'doubling,' but since mid-last week, the trend has gradually eased.
As the outbreak somewhat calmed down, the government also predicted that the peak daily new confirmed cases of this wave might be smaller than the initially expected 300,000. Baek Kyung-ran, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters briefing the day before, "There is a possibility that the peak, expected to be around 200,000, lower than initially anticipated, may form earlier than expected."
The spread of the outbreak has decreased, but severe cases and deaths continue to rise
However, as new confirmed cases continue to exceed 80,000 daily, the number of severe cases is also increasing. As of today, the number of severe cases is 242, up by 8 from the previous day. This is the highest number in over two months since May 26 (243 cases).
The nationwide hospital bed occupancy rates are 27.7% for severe cases beds (443 out of 1,598 beds in use), 46.5% for semi-severe beds, and 33.6% for moderate beds. In particular, the semi-severe bed occupancy rate in the metropolitan area reached 49.0%, approaching 50%.
The number of confirmed cases under home treatment increased by 18,406 from the previous day (447,211) to 465,627.
The number of COVID-19 deaths reported the previous day was 35, the same as the day before, marking the highest since May 28 (36 deaths). Among the deceased, 20 were aged 80 or older, accounting for 57.14% of the total, with six each in their 70s and 60s. To date, the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths is 25,027, with a cumulative fatality rate of 0.13%.
On the 21st, citizens are waiting for tests at the COVID-19 testing center in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@
Three additional Centaurus cases confirmed after entry from overseas
Meanwhile, among the new confirmed cases today, 397 were imported cases, 42 fewer than the previous day but still at a high level. Three days ago, on the 27th, imported cases reached 532, the highest number since the domestic COVID-19 outbreak began.
In particular, the KDCA announced that three additional patients infected with the BA.2.75 variant, known as the 'Centaurus variant,' were confirmed today, all of whom were imported cases.
A man in his 20s residing in Incheon, referred to as A, entered from India on the 23rd, developed symptoms on the 24th, and was confirmed positive on the same day. Two teenagers from Jeonnam, B and C, entered from Vietnam on the 25th and were confirmed positive on the same day. The KDCA explained, "All three confirmed with BA.2.75 variant infection have mild symptoms and are under home treatment."
Accordingly, the total number of BA.2.75 variant infections in Korea has reached seven.
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