New COVID-19 Cases Surge to 180,000+, Severe Cases Plummet... "Holiday Impact" (Update)

New Confirmed Cases 180,803
Severe Cases 469 · Deaths 42

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the number of new COVID-19 cases reached around 180,000, about twice the previous day, the number of critically ill patients decreased by approximately 90. Both the sharp changes in confirmed and critically ill patient numbers were influenced by the Liberation Day holiday.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 17th, as of midnight, 180,803 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total confirmed cases to 21,682,816. Among these, 567 cases were imported from overseas.

The number of new cases on this day was the highest since April 13 (195,387 cases). It is about 2.15 times the previous day's (84,128 cases) count. The increase in new cases appears to be due to the testing volume, which had decreased to weekend levels during the Liberation Day holiday, recovering to weekday levels. The number of tests conducted at screening clinics was 112,860 as of midnight the previous day, and 281,768 as of midnight on this day.

The number of critically ill patients was recorded at 469, a decrease of 94 from the previous day. A Disease Control Agency official explained, "During the holiday period, many patients in critical condition either improved or were released from isolation, and these reports increased after the holiday, leading to a decrease in the number of critically ill patients." However, this number is still higher compared to a week ago (402 patients). The nationwide critical care bed occupancy rate is 43.7%, with 43.5% in the metropolitan area and 44.1% in non-metropolitan areas.

The number of new deaths was 42, an increase of 5 from the previous day. By age group, 24 were aged 80 or older, 11 in their 70s, 3 in their 60s, 1 in their 50s, and 2 in their 40s. There was also 1 death under the age of 9. The total cumulative deaths reached 25,752, with a fatality rate of 0.12%.

On the previous day, 160,280 new patients were added to home treatment, bringing the total number of confirmed patients currently under home treatment to 655,924. This is an increase of 9,800 compared to the previous day (646,124).