[이데일리 김기덕 기자] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Seoul fell to the lowest level in six weeks. After peaking in the middle of last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of confirmed cases is showing a gradual decline. However, it is expected that the number of severe cases and deaths will continue to increase for the time being due to the high proportion of confirmed patients over the age of 65 among the total number of confirmed cases and the surge in the number of confirmed cases 2 to 3 weeks ago.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 4th, as of 00:00 on that day, the number of new confirmed cases in Seoul increased by 28,894 to a cumulative total of 2,922,636. There were 29 additional deaths from COVID-19, bringing the total to 3,742. The cumulative fatality rate is 0.13%.
The number of new confirmed cases on this day is the lowest in six weeks (42 days) since February 20 (2018 people). Compared to the previous day (42,109 people), it decreased by half, and 13,291 people decreased from a week ago (34,185 people).
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The number of daily confirmed cases in Seoul has risen sharply since mid-February, doubling every week along with the spread of the Omicron mutant virus. In particular, after peaking at 70,000 on the 8th of this month, 80,000 on the 12th, and 120,000 on the 17th, the number of confirmed cases is on the decline. From the 30th of last month, it decreased for five days in a row.
However, the number of severe cases of COVID-19 is steadily increasing. Currently, there are 705 beds for critically ill patients in Seoul, and 476 beds are in use, with a utilization rate of 67.5%. There are 669 semi-critically intensive care beds and 479 beds in use, and the utilization rate is 71.6%. The utilization rate of the infectious disease hospital and the living treatment center was 47.7% and 29.8%, respectively.
Park Yu-mi, a quarantine control officer at the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in Seoul, said, “The spread of COVID-19 has passed the peak and is on a downward trend, but the number of severe cases and deaths is steadily increasing due to an explosion in the number of confirmed cases two to three weeks ago. This is still an increasing trend, so the fatality rate is expected to rise slightly in the future.”
Meanwhile, the city of Seoul is accepting applications for COVID-19 outpatient treatment centers from the 30th of last month for hospitals and from this day for clinics. Hospitals wishing to participate can apply to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.
The city has requested that ‘rapid antigen testing’ be stopped at screening clinics and temporary screening centers at public health centers from the 11th. Accordingly, if you want rapid antigen testing, you should visit a local hospital or clinic.
