New COVID-19 Cases 12,016... About 610 More Than Last Week (Update)

On the 20th, when the mandatory mask-wearing policy on public transportation such as buses, subways, and taxis was fully lifted, a notice was posted at Gwanghwamun Subway Station in Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 21st at midnight that the number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 12,016, bringing the total to 30,714,976.

The number of new cases on this day increased by 8,086 compared to the previous day (3,930), which had decreased due to weekend testing. Compared to a week ago on the 14th (11,399 cases), there was an increase of 617 cases. This is the first increase in the number of cases compared to a week ago in 12 days since the 9th.

The number of critically ill patients currently hospitalized increased by 6 to 128 compared to the previous day. The number of critically ill patients has remained in the 100s for nearly a month.

The number of new COVID-19 deaths was 7, bringing the total deaths to 34,178 (fatality rate 0.11%).

Since the adjustment of indoor mask-wearing to level 1 in January, the government has relaxed mask-wearing on public transportation and other places starting from the previous day as the downward trend of the outbreak continued. The health authorities stated that although there may be a temporary increase due to the easing of quarantine measures, since mask-wearing is still being practiced, it is unlikely to become a variable for a new outbreak.