South Korea's new COVID-19 cases below 10,000 amid virus slowdown
A COVID patient casts a ballot at Seoul's central district of Jongno, June 1. Yonhap
New COVID-19 cases fell below 10,000 for Wednesday due to fewer tests being conducted because of local elections.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 9,898 infections, including 32 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,129,313.
Daily infections have shown a downward trend after posting an all-time high of over 620,000 in mid-March.
The death toll came to 24,212, up 15 from Tuesday, with a fatality rate of 0.13 percent, the KDCA said; while the number of critically ill patients stood at 176, down from 188. (Yonhap)