South Korea’s daily COVID-19 count reached 5,123.
Seoul:
South Korea reported its first five cases of the Omicron variant on Wednesday, as daily coronavirus infections rose above 5,000 for the first time, raising concerns about a sharp increase in patients, officials said. have severe symptoms.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA), a fully vaccinated couple tested positive for the variant after arriving from Nigeria last week, followed by two members. their family and a friend, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA).
South Korea’s daily COVID-19 count reached 5,123.
The increase began in early November after the country eased restrictions. The new variant prompted the government to pause the plan on Monday for further easing.
South Korea also said on Wednesday that a United Nations peacekeeping conference expected to draw more than 700 people to Seoul next week would be held online.
The country has fully immunized nearly 92% of adults and is currently focusing on childhood vaccinations and a ramp-up programme, but experts warn that cases will continue to rise until Unvaccinated people gain immunity through infection.
“Authorities can reduce the number of cases by reintroducing some social distancing measures,” said Jung Jae-hun, a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University.
South Korea says hospitals are treating 723 patients with severe COVID-19, a record number.
Nearly 90% of the intensive care unit’s beds in the greater Seoul area have been filled, with 842 patients waiting to be hospitalized.
The Korean Medical Association called on the government to set up treatment facilities and allow antibody treatment for high-risk patients before they develop severe symptoms.
Interior and Safety Minister Jeon Hae-cheol said authorities would secure at least 1,300 additional hospital beds by mid-December.
More than 84% of critically ill patients were 60 years of age or older. Experts have pointed to reduced antibody levels from vaccines and encouraged elderly people to get booster shots.
Tuesday’s new cases bring South Korea’s total to 452,350, with 3,658 deaths. Despite the increase in hospitalization, the mortality rate remained at a relatively low 0.81%, the KDCA data showed.
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