Gov't lifts vaccine pass at some facilities despite infections rising above 4,000
A medical worker wearing protective gear in a booth prepares to take samples in sub-zero temperatures at a temporary screening clinic for COVID-19 in Seoul, Jan. 14. AP-Yonhap
Daily COVID-19 infections climbed back above 4,000 for Monday as the health authorities remain vigilant over a possible upsurge in cases and the spread of the Omicron variant ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 4,072 new infections, including 3,763 local ones, raising the total caseload to 700,102.
The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients stood at 543, as the KDCA added 45 more deaths, raising the toll to 6,378 for a fatality rate of 0.91 percent.
The number of imported cases was tallied at 309, bringing the total of imported cases to 21,932.
On Tuesday, the government lifted the vaccine pass program at several kinds of multiuse facilities nationwide, including department stores, large discount stores, cinemas and cram schools.
Still, the KDCA has said the vaccine pass system will remain in effect at facilities such as cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, indoor gyms, karaoke establishments, internet cafes and public bathhouses.
The program requires people to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results when entering these facilities. It has been in effect since November when the number of daily infections soared to nearly 8,000.
On Monday, the government also raised the limit on the size of private gatherings to six from the previous four. But it extended a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants and cafes, which has been in place since mid-December, for another three weeks until Feb. 6.
The moves come amid deepening worries over a drastic upsurge in infections, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant has spread at a fast pace and many people are expected to travel for family reunions during the Lunar New Year holiday that begins later this month.
As of Tuesday, 43.58 million people, or 84.9 percent of the country's 52 million population, have been fully vaccinated, and 23.74 million, or 46.3 percent, have received booster shots, the KDCA said. (Yonhap)