Korea's new COVID-19 cases stay in 200,000s for 4th day

People wait in line to receive a test for COVID-19 at a testing station in Seoul Station Plaza, April 8. Yonhap

New daily COVID-19 cases remained in the 200,000s for the fourth consecutive day Thursday in a downward trend that could cause health officials to lower their infectious disease level for the outbreak amid eased social distancing rules.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 205,333 infections, including 31 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 14,983,694.

The public health agency reported 373 new deaths Thursday, up from 348 the previous day and 371 Tuesday, raising the toll to 18,754.

The number of critically ill patients stood at 1,093, down 23.

As the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to fall, the government said it is considering lifting the social distancing rules and allowing people to go mask-free outside if the virus stays in check through the end of next week.

On Monday, the administration eased social distancing rules nationwide to help reduce the plight of small merchants and business owners hit hard by the pandemic.

The private gathering limit has been raised to 10 people from eight, and the business hour curfew on public places, such as restaurants and cafes, has been extended by one hour to midnight.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Friday the government will finalize a decision on adjusting the infectious disease level of COVID-19, noting that virus cases are clearly on a downward trend.

The novel coronavirus is currently classified as "Class 1 infectious disease," the highest in the four-tier classification, and is in the same category as the Ebola virus and Middle East respiratory syndrome. The government is considering downgrading it by one notch.

Class 1 infectious diseases require high-level measures, such as negative pressure isolation, and immediate reporting on the outbreak.

A downgrade in the infectious disease level can lead to significant changes in virus responses, such as reducing the quarantine period or even lifting self-isolation measures.

Still, the health authorities are wary about deaths and critical illness from the virus.

Late last year, deaths and critically ill patients resurged among elderly patients as the effectiveness of their second-dose vaccine shots wore off.

As of midnight Thursday, the number of fully vaccinated people stood at 44.5 million, or 86.7 percent of the 52 million population, while 64.1 percent had received booster shots, the KDCA said. (Yonhap)