New COVID-19 cases hit record high of over 380,000; death toll tops 10,000
People wait in line for a COVID-19 test at a makeshift testing center in Seoul, March 11. Yonhap
South Korea's daily COVID-19 infections hit another record high of over 380,000 for Friday amid the continuing Omicron surge, with the death toll surpassing 10,000.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 383,665 new cases, including 383,590 local ones, raising the total caseload to 6,206,277.
This was the largest-ever daily count, surpassing the previous high of 342,446 cases tallied for Tuesday.
Total cases also reached 6 million, rising from 5 million in just three days.
The more transmissible Omicron variant-fueled surge in infections has led to more COVID-19 deaths, and severe and critical cases.
The country confirmed 269 more deaths, breaking the previous record of 229 set Thursday and bringing the accumulated toll to 10,144 with a fatality rate of 0.16 percent.
Severe and critical virus cases dropped by 50 from the previous day to 1,066 ― the record high was 1,151 recorded Dec. 29.
The health authorities earlier said the country is expected to experience the peak of the pandemic in the coming week.
The government is also planning to revise the current treatment system for COVID-19 patients to better use scarce medical resources.
Starting next week, virus patients hospitalized with minor symptoms will be able to receive treatment in general hospital wards.
Results from rapid antigen tests conducted by medical institutions will also be accepted in officially confirming COVID-19 infections. (Yonhap)