COVID-19 New Cases 16,624... 70 Imported Cases

Citizens are getting tested for COVID-19 at the COVID-19 screening clinic of Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] As the winter resurgence of COVID-19 continues to decline, the number of new confirmed cases on the 22nd recorded in the 16,000 range.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on that day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 16,624, bringing the total to 29,999,529. The number of new confirmed cases on that day was 11,030 fewer than the previous day (27,654). Compared to a week ago on the 15th (32,560), it decreased by 15,936, and compared to two weeks ago on the 8th (46,742), it decreased by 30,118. This is interpreted as a combined effect of the recent decline in the outbreak and a decrease in diagnostic tests during the holidays and weekends.

Based on Sunday announcements, this is the lowest number in 15 weeks since October 9 (17,646). From the 16th to that day, the daily new confirmed cases for one week were 14,130 → 40,184 → 36,896 → 29,806 → 27,408 → 27,654 → 16,624, with a daily average of 27,528.

Among the new confirmed cases on that day, 70 were imported cases, 15 fewer than the previous day (85). Of these, 32 (42.8%) were arrivals from China. Domestic community infection cases numbered 16,554.

The number of confirmed cases by region (including imported cases) is as follows: Gyeonggi 4,145, Seoul 2,315, Gyeongbuk 1,052, Gyeongnam 1,044, Daegu 1,028, Incheon 938, Chungnam 798, Busan 888, Jeonbuk 677, Gwangju 647, Jeonnam 635, Chungbuk 570, Daejeon 467, Ulsan 459, Gangwon 451, Jeju 341, Sejong 159, Quarantine 10.

The number of critically ill patients currently hospitalized is 460, 24 more than the previous day (436). Since dropping below 500 on the 18th, it has remained in the 400s for five consecutive days. The intensive care unit bed occupancy rate was 28.6% as of 5 p.m. the previous day.

The number of deaths the previous day was 24, 27 fewer than the day before (51). The cumulative number of deaths is 33,209, with a cumulative fatality rate of 0.11%.