South Korea reports new daily record amid Delta-driven surge
Reuters
July 21, 2021 09:27 MYT
July 21, 2021 09:27 MYT
A man walks on a nearly empty street amid tightened social distancing rules due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Seoul, South Korea, July 12, 2021. REUTERS/ Heo Ran/File Photo
SEOUL: South Korea reported a daily record of 1,784 coronavirus cases for Tuesday, breaking a mark set last week, as the country grapples with a surge in Delta-driven outbreaks, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Wednesday.
Genetic analysis of 2,381 infections last week found nearly 40% were the Delta variant, KDCA data showed. More than half the total 1,741 Delta variant cases since December were diagnosed last week.
Despite the record number of cases, South Korea has seen no significant increase in hospitalisations or deaths, with a mortality rate of 1.13% and the number of severe cases at 214 as of Tuesday.
Of the country’s 52 million people 32% have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while the government aims to vaccinate 70% by September.
So far, South Korea has recorded 182,265 cases and 2,060 deaths.