COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rise for 8 Consecutive Weeks: "Spread Likely to Continue for 1-2 More Weeks"

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue to Rise for Eight Consecutive Weeks
Elderly and High-Risk Groups Urged to Avoid Large Gatherings and Wear Masks Indoors

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased for eight consecutive weeks, indicating that the spread of the virus is still ongoing.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on August 29, sample surveillance of acute respiratory infections at 221 hospital-level medical institutions showed that the number of COVID-19 inpatients in the 34th week of 2025 (August 17-23) was 367, marking an eight-week consecutive increase since the 26th week (June 22-28).

Previously, the number of COVID-19 inpatients rose as follows: 63 in the 26th week, 101 in the 27th week, 103 in the 28th week, 123 in the 29th week, 139 in the 30th week, 220 in the 31st week, 272 in the 32nd week, and 302 in the 33rd week.

As of the 34th week, among the cumulative 4,467 inpatients, those aged 65 and older accounted for the largest share at 60.2% (2,689 people), followed by those aged 50 to 64 at 18.2% (813 people), and those aged 19 to 49 at 10.3% (461 people).

The COVID-19 virus detection rate has remained around 32% over the past three weeks, while the concentration of the virus in wastewater treatment plants has continued to rise since the 26th week.

The KDCA predicted that the spread of COVID-19 is likely to continue for the next one to two weeks, considering the recent upward trend and the fact that the summer peak of COVID-19 outbreaks in previous years occurred in August.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "The summer surge of COVID-19 is still ongoing," and emphasized, "High-risk groups, such as the elderly or immunocompromised individuals who are at greater risk of developing severe illness if infected, should refrain from participating in large gatherings and should wear masks indoors."