South Korea recorded its highest all-time depend of COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday.
The nation reported 293 deaths reported within the final 24 hours because it offers with a surge in infections fueled by the extremely contagious omicron variant, based on The Related Press.
Along with the record-setting deaths, South Korea additionally hit a brand new excessive for severe or vital circumstances together with 1,196 virus sufferers.
“We anticipate the variety of (severe or vital circumstances) to develop to round 2,000. We’re making ready our medical response for that,” senior Well being Ministry official Park Hyang mentioned, the AP reported.
The nation’s hospital system is predicted to be strained with the rise in case numbers. However well being officers mentioned the nation’s medical response was steady after South Korea pushed to increase sources and has greater than 30 p.c of ICU items for COVID-19 sufferers nonetheless out there, the wire service added.
Greater than 62 p.c of the inhabitants in South Korea has obtained a booster shot, a determine that Park says has helped the nation take care of the omicron variant, the AP famous.
With 17.6 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 folks, South Korea’s fatalities have been far decrease than figures seen within the U.S. or in Europe, which have seen 285.5 deaths within the U.S. and 237.5 in Britain respectively, the AP added, citing information from the Korea Illness Management and Prevention Company.
Nevertheless, the nation’s latest uptick in infections will current challenges for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who has promised to loosen pandemic-related insurance policies and has criticized present President Moon Jae-in’s COVID-19 response, the wire service mentioned.
The nation has already eased quarantine restrictions and stopped requiring proof of vaccination for sure areas, like eating places, which can be prone to appeal to crowds.
