New COVID-19 Cases at 36,908... Approximately 17,000 Decrease Compared to Last Week (Update)

On the 9th, the screening clinic at Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul appeared quiet due to a decrease in visitors for testing. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 18th at midnight that 36,908 new COVID-19 cases were added, bringing the total to 29,898,142.

The number of new cases decreased by 17,425 compared to a week earlier on the 11th (54,333). This is the lowest figure in 13 weeks for a Wednesday report since October 19 last year (29,492).

Among the new cases, 80 were imported from overseas, down by 15 from the previous day (95).

The number of critically ill patients hospitalized was 490, a decrease of 13 from the previous day. After recording over 500 for the past two days, the number has dropped to the 400s.

There were 43 new COVID-19 related deaths reported. The cumulative death toll stands at 33,057, with a fatality rate of 0.11%.

As of midnight, the additional vaccination rate was 34.2% for those aged 60 and over, and 61.2% for infection-vulnerable facilities.