New COVID-19 Cases at 78,575, Down 8,923 from Last Week... Severe Cases Remain in 600s for Four Consecutive Days (Update)

On the 2nd, when the mandatory PCR testing for arrivals from China began, arrivals from China are registering for COVID-19 testing at the COVID-19 Testing Center in Terminal 1 of Incheon Airport. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Although the winter resurgence of COVID-19 has entered a gradual decline phase, the number of critically ill patients has remained in the 600s for four consecutive days.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 4th at midnight that 78,575 new COVID-19 cases were added, bringing the cumulative total to 29,299,166.

New cases on this day decreased by 2,481 from the previous day (81,056) and by 8,923 compared to a week ago on the 28th (87,498). The number of confirmed cases has been declining for eight consecutive days since the 28th of last month. Imported cases increased by 109 from the previous day to 172.

The number of critically ill patients currently hospitalized rose by 3 to 623 compared to the previous day. The number of critically ill patients has remained in the 600s for three consecutive days.

There were 54 new deaths reported, bringing the total death toll to 32,355, with a fatality rate of 0.11%.

As of midnight on this day, the additional winter vaccination rate was 30.9% for those aged 60 and over, and 54.5% for infection-vulnerable facilities.