[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The number of new COVID-19 cases fell to the 80,000 range, continuing the downward trend of the resurgence.
The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 28th at midnight that 85,295 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, bringing the cumulative total to 22,983,818. The number of new cases decreased by 10,309 compared to the previous day.
Compared to a week ago on the 21st, the number decreased by 25,613, and compared to two weeks ago on the 14th, it decreased by 34,240. Based on Sunday announcements, the number fell below 100,000 for the first time in four weeks since the 31st of last month (73,558 cases).
The government and experts had predicted that the resurgence would enter a declining phase within this month.
Among the new cases on this day, 363 were imported cases, 35 fewer than the previous day. Domestic community transmission cases excluding imported cases were 84,932.
The number of confirmed cases by region (including imported cases) were: Gyeonggi 19,840, Seoul 13,052, Gyeongnam 6,137, Gyeongbuk 5,212, Busan 5,074, Daegu 4,910, Incheon 4,335, Chungnam 4,002, Jeonbuk 3,754, Jeonnam 3,537, Gwangju 3,235, Chungbuk 2,979, Daejeon 2,787, Gangwon 2,459, Ulsan 1,916, Jeju 1,227, Sejong 814, Quarantine 25.
Although the number of new confirmed cases has decreased, the number of critically ill patients and deaths, which follow the increase or decrease in confirmed cases with a 2-3 week lag, is on the rise. The number of critically ill patients increased by 2 from the previous day to 581. The number of critically ill patients has remained in the 500s for five consecutive days since the 24th, and on the 26th, 27th, and this day, it recorded the highest number since the resurgence began in early July.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 on the previous day was 70, 16 fewer than the day before, but still at a high level. Among the deceased, 42 (60.0%) were aged 80 or older, 15 were in their 70s, 10 in their 60s, 2 in their 50s, and 1 in their 30s. The cumulative death toll is 26,569, and the cumulative COVID-19 fatality rate is 0.12%.
As of midnight on this day, the number of patients receiving home treatment was 640,582.
From the 29th, the government will manage the treatment of patients in severe care beds more strictly. The evaluation cycle for the appropriateness of severe care bed occupancy will be shortened from 'once a week' to 'daily,' and the discharge compliance period for inappropriate occupancy will be shortened from 'within 2 days' to 'within 1 day.'
This is intended to more strictly filter out cases where patients who do not meet the severity criteria for severe care beds are admitted to such beds, thereby reducing the burden on medical personnel and finances.
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