The number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea remained above 40,000 for the second day in a row on Wednesday, despite the government’s efforts to return the country to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the country gained 43,925 new COVID-19 infections, including 37 cases from outside the country, increasing the overall caseload to 17,658,794. (KDCA).
It was down from 49,933 on Tuesday and 49,055 a week earlier.
According to the KDCA, the public health service reported 29 COVID-19 deaths, increasing the total to 23,491.
The number of severely ill patients decreased by 15 from the previous day to 383.
South Korea lifted the outdoor mask mandate on May 2, with the exception of big gatherings of 50 or more, as it moves toward normalcy. The indoor mask requirement is still in effect.
Daily infections in the country have been declining in recent weeks after peaking at around 620,000 in March 17 amid the development of the omicron variety.