80,559 New COVID-19 Cases, Highest in Three Months... Severe Cases Over 500 for Three Consecutive Days

A citizen visiting Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul is moving to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Amid the ongoing winter resurgence of COVID-19, the highest number of new confirmed cases in three months has been reported.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 20th, as of midnight, 87,559 new COVID-19 cases were added, bringing the cumulative total to 28,302,474.

The number of new confirmed cases increased by 60,937 compared to the previous day’s count of 26,222, which reflected reduced testing over the weekend, and rose by 729 compared to a week ago on the 13th (86,830 cases). This is the highest figure in 97 days since September 14, when 93,949 cases were reported.

The number of critically ill patients was 519, down by 16 from the previous day’s 535, but remained in the 500s for the third consecutive day. The number of deaths increased by 17 to 56 compared to the previous day’s 39. The cumulative death toll stands at 30,149, with a fatality rate of 0.11%.

With the full onset of winter, the COVID-19 resurgence appears to be intensifying. The share of the Omicron subvariant BN.1 is increasing, which is expected to act as a variable factor going forward.