Daily virus cases over 1,500 as infections show little signs of letup
Daily new COVID-19 cases retreated to the 1,500s for Friday, but the fourth wave of infections is showing few signs of letting up despite weeks of the toughest antivirus restrictions in the greater Seoul area. Yonhap
Daily new COVID-19 cases retreated to the 1,500s for Friday, but the fourth wave of infections is showing few signs of letting up despite weeks of the toughest antivirus restrictions in the greater Seoul area.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 1,539 COVID-19 cases, including 1,466 local ones, raising the total caseload to 198,345.
The latest tally is down from the 1,710 cases, Thursday.
Six more deaths were reported, increasing the toll to 2,095 for a fatality rate of 1.06 percent.
The daily caseload has remained above 1,000 since July 7 due to the resurgence in the greater capital region; but recently, cases have been growing across the country amid increased activities during the summer vacation season.
The health authorities are considering additional measures to contain the fourth wave of the pandemic as infections are increasing nationwide despite the current strict virus curbs.
The government has extended the highest Level 4 social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area until Aug. 8.
The toughest restrictions ban gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m., place a 10 p.m. curfew on restaurants and cafes, and have closed nightclubs and other entertainment venues.
Areas outside the greater capital region are under Level 3 measures through Aug. 8, though some local administrations have adopted Level 4 measures to better contain the coronavirus.
Under Level 3, cafes and restaurants can accept customers until 10 p.m., but only offer takeout and delivery services after that time. Private gatherings of five or more people are banned.
The government is also working to boost its vaccination drive by expanding inoculations to the younger population.
The health authorities said vaccinations for 17.77 million people aged 18-49 will take place from Aug. 26 to Sept. 30 with mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
A total of 19.2 million people, or 37.4 percent of the country's 51.3 million population, have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines, while 7.1 million people have been fully vaccinated, the KDCA said.
Of the 1,466 domestic cases, infections from non-capital areas reached 528, or 36 percent of the total, after rising to the 30 percent mark in mid-July.
South Gyeongsang Province and the central city of Daejeon reported 97 and 86 cases, respectively.
In the capital area, 468 cases were reported, while the surrounding Gyeonggi Province added 383, and the western port city of Incheon confirmed 87 cases.
New cases from overseas arrivals reached 73, up 25 from the previous day, bringing the total to 11,896.
The number of people who released from quarantine after making a recovery reached 174,177, up 1,420 from a day earlier, while patients listed in critical condition came to 317, up 18. (Yonhap)